Faith in the Dark: Let It Go
Chapter 5 Companion
Psalm 62:8 (NIV)
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Grayson gets a chance to see Carter’s artwork during recess in Chapter 5. At first, he’s confused—he thinks Carter’s sketch is of ghosts. But the truth comes out quickly: Carter didn’t want to draw the details. He wanted to get the nightmares “out,” but only halfway. Enough to say he tried… not enough to actually face them.
We do this more than we realize.
When we don’t show the full picture, people are left confused, and we’re left still holding the fear. We loosen our grip just enough to feel like we’ve dealt with it, but we keep one hand clamped over the rest—trying to stay in control.
And God can’t take the reins if our hands never actually let go.
It’s a lot like getting a papercut. Our first reaction is to cover it. Even after someone walks up with a bandage, we keep our hand over the cut as if that will help. But it doesn’t. In fact, now both hands are tied up—and no real healing can start until we uncover what hurts.
That’s what God wants for us, too. He wants to help us heal. But if we only show Him the outline—if we hide the deeper hurt out of fear or embarrassment—then we can’t receive the help He’s already holding out to us.
And the truth is, He already knows.
He already sees the full picture—even the parts we’re scared to say out loud.
When we finally take that brave step and hand it over, something powerful happens: the fear begins to lose its grip. Just like Carter, when we face the whole thing honestly, the power shifts away from the fear and straight into God’s hands.
So the question becomes:
Who will you give that power to—your fear, or your Father who cares for you?
Psalm 34:4 (NIV)
“I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.”
🕯️ Think About It
Have you ever shared “just a little bit” of what you were feeling instead of the whole story? What made it hard to be honest?
Why do you think it feels safer to stay in control, even when it isn’t working?
How might your fear lose its power if you brought the whole truth to God instead of just part of it?
🌙 Week 5 Challenge- Finish the Drawing
Carter only drew part of his nightmares.
This week, find something in your life you’ve only shown halfway — and “finish the drawing” in your own way:
Finish telling the story
Finish the prayer
Finish the sentence
Finish the thought you keep pushing away
You don’t have to show anyone the drawing — you just have to stop hiding the unfinished part.