- It’s important to make commitments because they …
- … reveal your values.
“No one can be a slave of two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot be slaves of God and of money.” (Matthew 6:24)
- … shape your character.
“Your life is shaped by your thoughts.” (Proverbs 4:23b) [GNT]
- … determine your destiny.
“36 For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life? 37 What can a man give in exchange for his life? (Mark 8:36-37)
- Why is it that we fear making commitments?
- Past hurts
- Self doubt
“An indecisive man is unstable in all his ways.” (James 1:8)
- Desire for independence
- Perfectionism
“If you wait for perfect conditions, you’ll never get anything done.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4) [TLB]
- How can you overcome the fear of making commitments?
- Ask God for wisdom.
“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5)
- Compare the cost and the benefits.
“28 For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to make fun of him, 30 saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” (Luke 14:28-30)
“23 Know well the condition of your flock, and pay attention to your herds, 24 for wealth is not forever; not even a crown lasts for all time. 25 When hay is removed and new growth appears and the grain from the hills is gathered in, 26 lambs will provide your clothing, and goats, the price of a field; 27 there will be enough goat’s milk for your food—food for your household and nourishment for your female servants.” (Proverbs 27:23-27)
- Trust God to help you keep your commitments.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act …” (Psalm 37:5)
“… and that is why I suffer from these things. But I am not ashamed, because I know the One I have believed in and am persuaded that He is able to guard what has been entrusted to me until that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)