He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:17, NIV)

Do you ever feel like the world is unraveling?

Wars rage. Peace is fragile. Headlines scream. Violence, injustice, and uncertainty occupy center stage. Even nature fumes with storms, fires, and earthquakes. It’s as if the earth itself protests.

Add to the confusion our personal struggles: broken relationships, medical diagnoses, or financial pressure, it’s easy to understand why we’re all diving for cover.

These are times when everything feels like it’s slipping through our fingers—like trying to sip water from cupped hands.

These are times when everything feels like it’s slipping through our fingers—like trying to sip water from cupped hands.

We whisper prayers through clenched teeth: “God, what is happening?” Beneath that question is one deeper: “Where are You?”

The Hands That Hold the World

Colossians 1:17 tells us something remarkable: “He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Christ existed before the foundations of the world—before any crisis occurred, before any diagnosis was delivered, before the breaking point.

Jesus is not a distant observer of our human experience but an ever-present sustainer of our lives. Even when everything seems to be falling apart, He remains as He was in the beginning, the One holding it together. Not just the stars in the sky or the tides in the ocean but every life, every moment, every detail.

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth is transformed, and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge.” (Psalm 46:1-3)

When the news rattles us, when the unknown rolls in like a storm, we can hold tight to the hands that never let go.

Letting Go to Hold On

“Fear not, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

Letting go isn’t easy. Sometimes, surrender is the most powerful thing we can do. Not the surrender of defeat, but of trust—placing what we cannot manage into the hands of the One who is never overwhelmed.

Sometimes, surrender is the most powerful thing we can do. Not the surrender of defeat, but of trust…

Before Peter could walk on water, he had to let go of the side of the boat. He had to surrender safety for the sake of something greater—trust in Christ. Can you imagine his terror? But the desire to move toward Jesus outweighed the comfort of clinging to the familiar. For a moment, Peter’s faith was stronger than his fear and in that breathless instant, Peter experienced what seemed impossible.

But first, he had to let go.

Held When You Feel Helpless

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deuteronomy 33:27)

There are days when the fear of what could happen threatens to swallow our peace whole. We feel helpless watching events unfold we cannot control. In these frightening moments, the Holy Spirit whispers the grounding truth that it was never ours to control. Still, God’s Word reminds us that as we watch the world, He watches us, and we are never helpless in His caring hands.

Even in Chaos, God is Present

“I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of My hand.” (John 10:28)

The Bible doesn’t promise a world without trouble. In fact, Jesus plainly said, “In this world you will have trouble.” However, He immediately follows with this: “But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

That’s why we can still occupy peace amidst turmoil. Not because things around us are calm but because the One who holds us is.

Crushed in Spirit, Held by God

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)

Some of the most beautiful faith stories come from seasons of brokenness—when there was no answer, no quick fix, no visible way forward. Remember Hagar cast out, wandering in the wilderness, alone and afraid. With nowhere to go and no one to turn to, she sat and wept. Yet in that barren place, God showed up. He called her by name, provided for her needs, and revealed Himself as El Roi—the God who sees (Genesis 16:13). He didn’t immediately remove her from hardship, but He met her in it—with His presence, His peace, and His sustaining power.

Some of the most beautiful faith stories come from seasons of brokenness—when there was no answer, no quick fix, no visible way forward.

Questions to Anchor Your Heart

• What fears about the world around me am I carrying?
• Where have I seen God’s faithfulness, even in frightening times?
• What would it look like to release my fear and occupy His peace instead?

A Final Word of Hope

“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:8)

It’s good to acknowledge that life feels overwhelming and burdens are too heavy to carry. The truth is they were never ours to carry alone. Jesus doesn’t just sympathize with our struggle—He holds us. Even shattered lives are cradled in His hands with unwavering love and tender mercy.

When the world spins out of control, and we’re unsure who to trust or what to believe, remember this: we are not alone. Our life is not in the hands of fate, headlines, or circumstances. We are in the strong, steady, scarred hands of Jesus.

When life’s circumstances are out of your hands, hold tight to His. There is no safer place to be.