Commitment Quote by Richard J. Foster
““I want to mention one other reason why we shy away from commitment. It is, very simply, the fear that we will not be able to fulfill our covenant. We may have made commitments in the past that we were not able to fulfill—perhaps a marriage vow or a promise to our children. Or it could have been something far more simple—a pledge to be diligent in devotional reading, for example.””
About This Quote
Commitment avoidance often stems from fear of breaking past promises; recognizing this pattern helps address underlying anxiety and rebuild confidence in future vows.
In simple terms: Fear of failing past promises blocks new commitments.
Past unkept vows fuel commitment anxiety.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- Entering a marriage
- Starting a long‑term project
- Taking on a regular devotional practice
Key Concepts
Practical Applications
- Reflect on past promises to identify patterns
- Create small, trackable commitments first
Questions to Reflect On
- What past commitments still affect your confidence?
- How can you rebuild trust in your ability to keep vows?
Not all fear is irrational; some past failures may signal genuine capacity limits.