Cast It All

As the father of four, I’ve heard Elsa belt out the infamous words “Let it Go” more times than I can count...

And honestly, all it usually triggers is a craving for popcorn. But the truth is, letting go of anything has always been incredibly difficult for me.

That’s why a moment in Top Gun: Maverick stopped me cold. Maverick, haunted by the death of his best friend Goose, carries a weight he can't seem to shake. In a tender exchange, Iceman looks him in the eye and types a simple prompt:
“It’s time to let go.”
Maverick’s reply?
“I don’t know how.”

That line hit me like a freight train—because it put words to something I often feel but rarely say. It’s the reason anxiety so often wins the battle in my mind: I don’t know how to let go.

That moment of raw honesty from Maverick felt deeply familiar. Like him, I wrestle with fear, uncertainty, and the pressure to always be in control. But watching his character lean into vulnerability, I found myself leaning in too—curious to see how the story would turn.

For Maverick, the breakthrough came through trust—trusting his students, even the son of the friend he lost.

For me? It’s not a Hollywood script. It’s real life. It’s messier. But the principle still holds true: transformation begins with surrender.

Maybe that’s why Peter’s invitation to cast all our anxiety on God is both beautiful and brutal. It sounds simple—just give it to Him. But casting it means admitting we’re carrying it. And that’s hard. Because admitting fear, weakness, or anxiety can feel like failure.

But I’m learning—slowly—that if I want to be the man God is calling me to be, I have to get honest about where I am. I have to stop pretending I’m fine and start naming what’s weighing me down. Because only then can I lay it at His feet.

So here’s the question I’m asking myself, and I invite you to ask it too:

What if admitting we don’t know how... is actually the first step to letting go?

Maverick doesn’t give a clear answer, but I’ve been thinking about it—and what I’m realizing is this: he has a certain image of himself and how he deals with problems. That image is shaped by culture—his family, his military background, and other influences. And I have a similar image of myself, also formed by the culture and experiences that shaped me. If I reflect on Maverick’s moment and my own, the real challenge isn’t just letting go of that image. The challenge is learning to let go while fully accepting who I am.

If we truly believe God cares for us—like His Word says He does—then casting our cares isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a declaration of trust.

And that’s where real strength begins.

Reflection Questions:

1. What anxiety or burden are you still trying to carry on your own?
2. What would it look like today to cast that weight onto Him, and trust that He truly cares?