Furious Chapter 26 Devotional

Who’s Holding You Back?

Years ago, my mentor Reinhard Bonnke told me a story I’ll never forget.

As a young man preaching in North Germany, Reinhard was greeting people at the door after a service when the Holy Spirit suddenly prompted him to turn around. Behind him stood a young woman.

He looked her in the eye and asked, “Have you already received Jesus as Savior?” Tears filled her eyes. “No,” she said, “I want to—but I can’t.”

“Why can’t you find salvation tonight in Jesus Christ?” he asked. She lowered her voice. “Because I have a boyfriend who hates Jesus.” Reinhard didn’t hesitate. “Then you have the wrong boyfriend altogether.”

She wept as she repeated it over and over: “But I love him so much.” She pulled away and walked out the door.

The next morning, Reinhard was at the breakfast table when a friend burst in: “Did you hear? Something terrible has happened outside.” The young woman from the night before had died in a tragic accident. She never got the chance to surrender to Christ.

Paul asks the Galatians a diagnostic question that still pierces today: “Who has held you back from following the truth?”

That’s a great question to ask yourself: What’s holding me back? Is it a relationship? A job? A fear? An addiction? A dream? Whatever it is, Paul makes it clear—it’s not God. He is the one who called you to freedom. If something’s slowing you down, if something is standing between you and Christ—it’s not from Him.

Hebrews 12:1 urges us to lay aside every weight and sin that so easily entangles. Notice that it’s not just sin we are to surrender—but anything that weighs us down. Even good things can become deadly if they keep us from following Jesus.

Some delays don’t come with second chances. And some hesitations cost more than we imagine.

🔥 Reflection

What’s holding you back from fully following Jesus? Is there a person, a habit, or a fear that’s weighing you down? Be honest with yourself. And with God.

🙏 Prayer

Lord, show me anything that’s holding me back from You. Give me courage to let it go. I want to run freely after You—without hesitation, without compromise.

📣 Call-to-Action

Take time this week to identify the weights and distractions in your life. Lay them at Jesus’ feet. Don’t wait. Don’t justify. Step into the freedom He’s calling you to—now.