Have you ever been in one of those situations where life feels like it’s closing in on you, and you start trying to make deals with God? Most of us have been there at least once. You find yourself saying things like, “Lord, if You get me out of this, I promise I’ll never do that again,” or “God, if You fix this, I’ll do anything You ask.” It’s funny how those words slip out so easily when we’re stressed, scared, or desperate. Because in the moment, they feel real… but deep down, we already know we’re promising God something we can’t actually keep.
There was a time I found myself in trouble that I brought on myself. Everywhere I looked, the walls seemed to close in. I didn’t know how to get out, so I tried what I thought might work... I tried to negotiate with God. I said, “Lord, if You just get me through this, I’ll do whatever You ask.” I said it like I was ready to sacrifice my whole life for one moment of relief. But if I’m honest, I wasn’t offering true surrender, I was hoping my words would somehow convince God to step in.
Looking back, I realized something important. God never asked me to bargain with Him. He never asked me to make promises like a payment. God isn’t a businessman trying to cut a deal. He’s a Father, guiding His child through life.
Jesus said it best: “Follow Me”(Matthew 4:19). That’s it. Not, “Follow Me and promise you’ll never fail.” Not, “Follow Me and get everything perfect.” Just, Follow Me. Simple. Clear. Covered in grace.
But grace can confuse us when we’re stressed. When fear hits, we want control. Offering God a promise can feel like grabbing the steering wheel for a moment. “If I say this, maybe He’ll do that,” we think. But promises made in panic aren’t faith, they’re fear. And God doesn’t build anything lasting on fear.
The Bible says, “Let your yes be yes, and your no be no”(Matthew 5:37). That verse isn’t just about honesty with others. It’s about honesty with God. He doesn’t want panic-driven promises. He wants a heart strong enough to say “yes” when it’s yes and “no” when it’s no. Anything beyond that leads to trouble… and we all know it.
But here’s the part that really humbled me: even when I made promises I couldn’t keep, God still helped me. He still stepped in, He still covered me, He still rescued me… not because of my words, my attempts, or my half-hearted promises, but because of who He is. His love isn’t earned by what I say. It’s given freely, endlessly, completely.
Think about this: When Jesus called the disciples, He didn’t ask for a vow. They didn’t have to swear loyalty. They didn’t sign a contract. Jesus simply said, “Follow Me.” And somehow, that was enough. They didn’t promise perfection. They didn’t guarantee they’d never fail… and they did fail, more than once. Peter promised he’d never deny Jesus, and we all know how that turned out (Luke 22:34). Yet Jesus still loved him, restored him, and used him.
The difference I’ve learned is this: a promise to God often comes from pressure.A commitment comes from relationship. A promise tries to convince God. A commitment says, “Lord, I trust You enough to walk with You.” One is fear-driven. The other is love-driven.
Psalm 145:8 reminds us: “The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.” When you really let that sink in, you start to realize God isn’t standing over you waiting for you to keep every promise perfectly. He’s walking beside you, teaching, shaping, and strengthening you as you follow Him. He knows your heart. He knows your patterns. He knows your struggles before you even see them.
Here’s what matters: God is more interested in the direction I’m headed than in what I panic and promise. He’s not measuring my worth by my promises; He’s measuring my growth by how often I choose Him again.
Choosing Him doesn’t have to be a speech. It can be: “Lord, I’m here.” Or, “Help me today.” Or, “I’m following You, even though I’m still learning.” That’s real relationship, not bargaining.
Deals break down. Promises made in fear fall apart. But a willing heart, even a shaky, imperfect one… that’s something God can work with. That’s something He can transform. When we stop making promises we can’t keep, something beautiful happens. We make room for trust. We make room for peace. We make room for God to lead.
So the next time you find yourself in that tight place, where your heart is racing, mind overwhelmed, emotions running wild… pause before making a promise. Take a breath. Talk to God honestly. Tell Him what you feel, what you fear, and what you need. Then instead of saying, “Lord, I promise…” try saying, “Lord, I trust You. Show me how to follow You through this.”
That small shift can change everything.
And the best part? God meets you right there… not because of a promise, but because you’re His.
Pray with me
Father God,
You know my heart better than I ever will. You know the pressure I put on myself and the moments when fear tries to take over. I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep. I just want to be honest with You. Help me trust You in a way that’s real… not with promises, but with a heart that comes before You and says, “I’m here. I’m willing. Show me the way. Teach me to walk with You in a way that’s genuine, firm, and true to who You made me to be. Today, I choose You, and with a heart that means every word.
