Broken promises lead to the breakdown of relationships.  But what do you do when you chronically break promises to yourself?  Over the years, I have learned to not make promises that I cannot or will not keep so that I can trust my own word.

Whether it is an exercise program (I will work out more) or diet (I will eat less), or how you parent your kids (I will be more patient) or how you deal with your spouse (I will be more patient), the things we say to ourselves are important.  If we continuously disregard our own promises, we discount our integrity.  Conversely, promises made and kept lead to a confidence in ourselves.  The important thing is to do what you say, even if it is a sacrifice of comfort or time.  If you cannot trust yourself to keep your own word, why should anyone else trust you?

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God, search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”

Jeremiah 17:9-10 (MSG)