Chained, but not Bound

Thursday, January 22, 2026
Chained but not Bound:  Finding the Courage to Move
By Sheila Sonon

In Acts 12, Peter is stuck in what looks like a completely hopeless situation. He’s chained, guarded, and asleep between soldiers. There’s no logical way out. But while Peter is trapped, the church is praying. Suddenly, light fills the cell, an angel appears, and Peter is nudged awake. “Quick, get up!” the angel says—and the chains fall off Peter’s wrists (Acts 12:7).

What gets me is that Peter doesn’t even realize what’s happening is real. Scripture tells us he thought he was dreaming. Yet he still gets up and follows the angel. He moves before he understands.

I relate to this on so many levels - do you?

Many of us are chained in ways that don’t show on the outside. A single mom trying to do everything and wondering if she’s failing. Someone stuck in a miserable work situation, dreading Monday every single week. Parents watching their children drift and praying they’ll find their way back. Or maybe the chains are internal—being brutally hard on ourselves, picking apart our bodies, replaying mistakes, or feeling mentally and emotionally worn down.

When God whispers, “Quick, get up,” it usually doesn’t come with a full explanation. It might look like taking one brave step—having a hard conversation, asking for help, setting a boundary, or choosing to believe you’re not as stuck as you feel. And honestly, it can be confusing. We question ourselves. We wonder if we’re imagining it.
Peter reminds us that obedience doesn’t require clarity first. He stood up while the chains were still falling.

God hasn’t forgotten you while “wearing” your chains.. When He says, “Get up,” the chains have already lost their grip, become unlocked—even if you’re still blinking in the dark and unsure of what comes next.