World Mental Health Day: Finding Hope, Peace, and Healing

By Jane “Goldie” Winn

World Mental Health Day, observed on October 10, reminds us of the importance of caring for our mental and emotional well-being. Life can be overwhelming at times, and many people quietly struggle with anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and stress. Sometimes, the battles we face are the ones no one else can see.

Mental health deserves our attention, understanding, and compassion. No one should feel ashamed of struggling or believe they must face every difficulty alone. Just as we care for our physical health, we need to care for our minds and hearts, too.

Giving Ourselves Permission to Heal

Sometimes, we put so much pressure on ourselves to keep going that we forget it’s okay to pause. We may feel responsible for fixing every problem, controlling every outcome, and finding answers to every question.

But we don’t have to do everything on our own.

Learning to surrender our worries to God can be one way to find peace amid life’s uncertainties. First Peter 5:7 reminds us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us.

Surrender doesn’t mean ignoring our problems or pretending our struggles don’t exist. It means acknowledging what we’re facing and releasing the burden of trying to control everything. We can trust God while taking practical steps toward healing, including talking with someone we trust or seeking professional mental health support.

Asking for help is not weakness. It is a courageous step toward caring for ourselves.

Small Steps Can Make a Difference

Caring for our mental health doesn’t always require major changes. Sometimes, it begins with getting enough rest, spending time with someone who listens, taking a quiet moment to pray, or allowing ourselves to step back from overwhelming demands.

We can also help others by listening without judgment, offering encouragement, and reminding them that their struggles matter. A little kindness can make a meaningful difference in someone’s day.

A Reminder of Hope

This World Mental Health Day, let’s remember that healing takes time, and everyone’s journey is different. We don’t have to have all the answers today.

We can surrender the worries we cannot control, seek the help we need, and take life one day at a time.

Whatever you’re facing, your struggles do not define your worth. Give yourself grace, extend compassion to others, and remember that even in difficult seasons, there is room for hope, healing, and renewed peace.

Here is a wonderful ebook to help you on your surrender journey:

The Healing Power of Surrender: A 30-Day Devotional Journey to Peace and Purpose by Jane “Goldie” Winn
You can download it today for just $9.99 and begin 30 days of transformation and lasting freedom. Click Here to buy The Healing Power of Surrender

Here for you,

Goldie

Surrendering Regret

by Jane "Goldie" Winn | Blog

Surrendering Regret

By Jane “Goldie” Winn

Regret has a way of following us into places we thought we had already left behind.

We remember the words we wish we had never spoken. The choices we wish we could undo. The opportunities we missed and the moments when we wish we had known then what we know now.

Sometimes we carry those memories so long that they begin to feel like part of who we are.

But regret was never meant to become our identity.

You Cannot Change Yesterday

One of the hardest parts of surrender is accepting that we cannot go back and change what happened. We can learn from yesterday, but we cannot live there.

There is a difference between taking responsibility and continually punishing ourselves.

When we surrender regret, we are not pretending that our mistakes didn’t matter. We are simply choosing not to let those mistakes control the rest of our story.

God already knows every chapter — even the ones we wish we could tear out.

Give Yourself Permission to Move Forward

Sometimes we believe holding onto regret proves that we are sorry enough.

But constantly replaying our failures does not change the past. It only steals from the present.

Surrender means placing those painful memories in God’s hands and saying, “I can’t change this, but I don’t want to carry it anymore.”

There can be freedom in that simple release.

Romans 8:1 reminds us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. That doesn’t erase the lessons from our past. Instead, it reminds us that our past does not have the final word.

Your Story Isn’t Over

Perhaps there is something you have been carrying for years — a decision, a relationship, a missed opportunity, or something you wish you had handled differently.

Today, you can begin to surrender it.

You don’t have to understand everything that happened. You don’t have to have every answer. You can simply take the next step and trust God with what you cannot change.

Surrendering regret is not forgetting.

It is releasing.

And sometimes the very thing we thought would always hold us back becomes part of the testimony that reminds us how faithfully God carried us through.

Surrender the regret. Keep the lesson. Let God write the next chapter.

Here is a wonderful ebook to help you on your surrender journey:

The Healing Power of Surrender: A 30-Day Devotional Journey to Peace and Purpose by Jane “Goldie” Winn
You can download it today for just $9.99 and begin 30 days of transformation and lasting freedom. Click Here to buy The Healing Power of Surrender

Here for you,

Goldie

National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children

by Jane "Goldie" Winn | Blog

National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children

By Jane “Goldie” Winn

September 12 is the National Day of Remembrance for Aborted Children—a day that invites us to stop, remember, and acknowledge the precious lives that were lost to abortion.

For me, this is more than a date on the calendar. It is a day that I honor and remember my own aborted child who is now in Heaven and a reminder that behind every statistic is a life, a story, and a mother who may still carry feelings she has never been able to put into words.

There are many different emotions surrounding abortion. There may be grief, regret, anger, confusion, or even relief mixed with sadness. Sometimes those emotions (and many others) can surface years—or even decades—later.

Remembering Without Condemning

Remembering these children doesn’t have to mean pointing fingers or placing shame on those who made difficult decisions. It can simply mean acknowledging that a life was lost and allowing ourselves to grieve.

Scripture says:

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18

Those words have brought comfort to me many times. God does not turn away from broken hearts. He meets us right in the places where we hurt the most.

There Is Grace for the Past

If you are carrying regret from an abortion, please know that you do not have to carry it alone. The past cannot be changed, but it does not have to define the rest of your life.

Healing often begins when we finally stop hiding our pain and bring it into the presence of God.

This day can be a time to remember the children, but it can also be a time to extend compassion to the women and families who are still hurting.

A Surrender Note to Declare

Today, I choose to surrender what I cannot change.

I surrender the questions, the memories, the grief, and the regrets I may still carry. I place these precious lives into God’s hands, and I ask Him to bring comfort where there is pain and peace where there is still sorrow.

Sometimes surrender is not forgetting. Sometimes surrender is finally trusting God with what our hearts cannot carry anymore.

Here is a wonderful ebook to help you on your surrender journey:

The Healing Power of Surrender: A 30-Day Devotional Journey to Peace and Purpose by Jane “Goldie” Winn
You can download it today for just $9.99 and begin 30 days of transformation and lasting freedom. Click Here to buy The Healing Power of Surrender

Here for you,

Goldie

Surrendering Enabling Habits

by Jane "Goldie" Winn | Blog

Surrendering Enabling Habits

By Jane “Goldie” Winn

There is a difference between helping someone and enabling them. Helping can offer support, encouragement, and a hand when someone is struggling. Enabling, however, can sometimes keep a person stuck by protecting them from the natural consequences of their choices.

When Helping Becomes Enabling

Surrendering enabling habits can be difficult, especially when our intentions are good. We may step in because we love someone, feel responsible for them, or simply want to keep the peace.

The Desire to Make Everything Better

Sometimes we believe that if we just try harder, explain things differently, or rescue someone one more time, everything will finally change. But we cannot make another person change or make their choices for them.

Constantly fixing problems for others can leave us exhausted, frustrated, and emotionally drained.

Love Does Not Mean Fixing Everything

Loving someone doesn’t require us to solve every problem they face. Sometimes love means allowing another person to experience the consequences of their decisions.

Learning to Step Back

Stepping back doesn’t mean becoming uncaring. It means recognizing what belongs to us—and what belongs to someone else.

Healthy boundaries can feel uncomfortable at first. We may experience guilt, fear, or worry about what will happen when we stop stepping in.

But sometimes stepping back is exactly what allows another person to begin taking responsibility for their own life.

Surrendering the Need to Control

Surrender isn’t about giving up on someone. It is about releasing our belief that everything depends on us.

Choosing Peace Over Responsibility for Everyone

We can love people without carrying their burdens for them. We can offer encouragement without taking over. We can say, “I love you, but I cannot do this for you.”

That isn’t rejection. It can be an honest expression of love.

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee.” — Psalm 55:22 (KJV)

When we surrender enabling habits, we make room for healthier relationships, stronger boundaries, and greater peace within ourselves.

Sometimes surrender means trusting enough to let go—and allowing others the opportunity to stand on their own.

Here is a wonderful ebook to help you on your surrender journey:

The Healing Power of Surrender: A 30-Day Devotional Journey to Peace and Purpose by Jane “Goldie” Winn
You can download it today for just $9.99 and begin 30 days of transformation and lasting freedom. Click Here to buy The Healing Power of Surrender

Here for you,

Goldie

August Wellness: What If Surrender Made Room for More?

by Jane "Goldie" Winn | Blog

August Wellness: What If Surrender Made Room for More?

August is National Wellness Month, but wellness does not have to mean adding another list of things to accomplish. Eat better. Exercise more. Sleep longer. Drink more water. Make time for yourself.

All of those things can be valuable, but what if wellness also involves doing less?

What if taking care of ourselves sometimes means surrendering the need to have everything figured out?

Surrender Is Not Standing Still

It Can Change the Way We Move Forward

The word surrender can sound like defeat. Yet surrender can actually be a decision to stop fighting battles that are consuming our energy.

There are situations we cannot change, people we cannot control, and outcomes we cannot predict. Spending our days trying to manage all of them can leave very little energy for the life that is actually happening in front of us.

Surrender gives us permission to stop wrestling with every unanswered question.

It can sound like:

“I will do what I can, and I will let the rest unfold.”

That is not giving up. It is making a different choice.

Wellness Includes the Things No One Sees

Pay Attention to Your Inner Life

We are usually pretty good at noticing when our bodies need attention. We recognize when we are hungry, tired, or physically uncomfortable.

But what about our inner life?

Sometimes we need to notice when worry has become a habit, when yesterday is taking up too much space in today, or when we are putting unrealistic expectations on ourselves.

Surrender invites us to become honest about those things without judging ourselves for having them.

A Different Kind of Wellness Check-In

Ask Yourself What Can Go

This month, instead of asking only, “What should I add to my wellness routine?” try asking:

“What can I stop carrying?”

Maybe it is an old expectation.

Maybe it is the pressure to please everyone.

Maybe it is a mistake you continue to replay.

Maybe it is simply the belief that you have to handle everything alone.

August can be a reminder that wellness is not always about doing more for ourselves. Sometimes it is about creating enough space to hear our own thoughts, appreciate where we are today, and trust the next step.

Surrender does not require us to understand the whole journey.

Sometimes, we simply need enough courage to loosen our grip.

And in that space, we may discover something we desperately needed all along: room to breathe, room to grow, and room for something new.

Here is a wonderful ebook to help you on your surrender journey:

The Healing Power of Surrender: A 30-Day Devotional Journey to Peace and Purpose by Jane “Goldie” Winn
You can download it today for just $9.99 and begin 30 days of transformation and lasting freedom. Click Here to buy The Healing Power of Surrender

Here for you,

Goldie

Summer Surrender: When Life Doesn’t Go As Planned

by Jane "Goldie" Winn | Blog

Summer Surrender: When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned

Summer often arrives with high expectations. We picture vacations, family gatherings, time outdoors, and a slower pace. But life doesn’t always follow our plans. Unexpected expenses, health concerns, canceled trips, or changes at work can quickly shift our focus.

While disappointment is natural, these moments can also remind us that not every detour is a setback.

Learning to Let Go

Most of us enjoy having a plan. It gives us direction and a sense of control. Yet some of life’s greatest lessons come when things unfold differently than we expected.

The Bible reminds us:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6

Surrender doesn’t mean giving up. It means trusting God enough to hold our plans with open hands. Sometimes a closed door leads to a better opportunity, even if we don’t see it right away.

Finding Joy in the Present

If your summer hasn’t gone according to plan, don’t let disappointment define the season. There is still beauty to be found in everyday moments—a walk outside, time with loved ones, a quiet morning with Scripture, or the chance to encourage someone else.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28

When we surrender our expectations, we make room for God’s peace. His plans are often different from ours, but they are always guided by His wisdom and love.

As summer continues, embrace the season you’re in. Trust that God is present in both the planned moments and the unexpected ones. Sometimes the greatest blessings are found in the paths we never intended to take.

Here is a wonderful ebook to help you on your surrender journey:

The Healing Power of Surrender: A 30-Day Devotional Journey to Peace and Purpose by Jane “Goldie” Winn
You can download it today for just $9.99 and begin 30 days of transformation and lasting freedom. Click Here to buy The Healing Power of Surrender

Here for you,

Goldie