Promise Kept

Do you remember your promises? Hopefully, the answer is yes because the people to whom you make them sure do. Heaven also records your words. Maybe you've said, "I'll call you back. I promise!" "I will help you with the leaves. I promise." "Yes, I will be there for Thanksgiving. I promise."

Whether attending someone's holiday gathering or helping someone out, failing to keep your promises causes instant and ongoing disappointment for the person waiting for you to fulfill your word. But the adverse fallout doesn't stop there. According to psychology studies, it affects the person who isn't true to their word as well. Studies reveal that when you don't keep your word, your "self-esteem and self-image" impact your confidence and drive.

So, how can we go from promise-breakers to promise-keepers?

First, start with God. Ecclesiastes 5:4-7 / NLT, "When you make a promise to God, don't delay in following through, for God takes no pleasure in fools. Keep all the promises you make to him. 5 It is better to say nothing than to make a promise and not keep it. 6 Don't let your mouth make you sin. And don't defend yourself by telling the Temple messenger that the promise you made was a mistake. That would make God angry, and he might wipe out everything you have achieved. 7 Talk is cheap, like daydreams and other useless activities. Fear God instead."

Developing the discipline of keeping your word with God will provide a standard of integrity that will carry over into every other area of your life. You see it with people who come to faith in Christ. Their entire business approach and ethics have improved.
Secondly, focus on a mindset that says, "I will under-promise and over-deliver." Think of it this way: When we over-promise and under-deliver, we create unnecessary tension and forfeit trust. We also give others, some of whom we love dearly, false hope. Proverbs 25:14 says, "A person who promises a gift but doesn't give it is like clouds and wind that bring no rain."

Finally, keep promises even if it's inconvenient. Psalm 15:4 says that God blesses people when they "...keep their promises even when it hurts." You will notice that doing the right thing is often like an uphill climb, but don't let that stop you from keeping your promises to God and others.

Mother Theresa famously said, "People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway."

As you keep your promises, you can humbly expect God's blessing and the benefits that come along with personal integrity.