Broken Promises

Divine Inspirations | By Dee Davis

Focus Scripture:

“But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ so that you will not sin and be condemned.” James 5:12 (NLT)

Devotion:

There is something sacred about a promise.

It carries weight, expectation, and hope. It represents trust, believing that something will or will not happen based on the word that was given. When a promise is honored, trust deepens. But when a promise is broken, especially repeatedly, it fragments trust, weakens integrity, and leaves wounds that often take time to heal.

Most of us feel the gravity of making promises to God. We take seriously the commitments we make to others. But there is another category of promises that is often overlooked, the promises we make to ourselves.

And when we break those…

The damage is quieter.

The wound goes deeper.

And the trust we lose is internal.

You may not realize it, but every time you break a promise to yourself, whether it’s regarding your health, boundaries, healing, rest, dreams, or emotional safety, your mind and spirit record a subtle but destructive message:

“I don’t matter that much.”

“My needs are not as important.”

“I can’t trust myself to take care of me.”

Over time, these messages can dim confidence, blur identity, and weaken discernment. They even impact how we relate to God, because how we honor our own word says something about how we value the worth He has placed inside us.

Jesus teaches that our yes should simply be yes and our no should be no not heavy vows or pressured oaths, but quiet consistency. And that standard is not just for how we treat others it is for how we treat ourselves.

Keeping promises to yourself is not selfish.

It is stewardship.

It is integrity.

It is honoring the image of God in you.

And the hope is this…

If broken promises can erode trust, kept promises can rebuild trust one small step at a time!

Personal Testimony

There are moments in life when the weight of a broken promise becomes painfully personal.

For me, it happened in my marriage.

In the past, I broke promises to myself; promises I made about what I would no longer tolerate and how I would protect my own heart. I told myself I would set healthy boundaries, that I would stand firm, that I would no longer allow certain behaviors to harm me. But I didn’t keep those promises. I let it slide. I minimized it. I rationalized it.

And the pain that followed was deeper than I expected.

Breaking those promises to myself caused mental anguish, emotional exhaustion, and deep confusion. I found myself unable to trust my own decisions. I felt lost… out of control… unsure of what to do next. I allowed betrayal back into my life, and denial became my friend. It seemed easier to pretend than to face how poorly I was handling my life because deep down, I knew the truth:

I had broken the promises over and over of protecting myself, to myself.

There came a point when I felt I was nearing a mental break.

But then… something shifted.

God gave me the courage to seek help and I praise Him for it!

That moment became a turning point; proof that even when we break promises and repent, God is a restorer! He meets us in our weakness and leads us back to His truth, strength, and clarity.

Supporting Scripture

• Psalm 15:4 (NLT): “Those who keep their promises even when it hurts.”

This scripture reminds us that integrity sometimes costs us something, but keeping our commitments especially to ourselves builds strength and trust.

Reflection Question

1. What promises have I made to myself that I quietly let slip away?

Action Steps

-Start small. Choose one realistic, meaningful promise you can keep today.

-Write it down. A written commitment helps strengthen intention and focus.

-Set boundaries. Protect the emotional, spiritual, and physical space needed to honor your promise.

-Be accountable. Share your commitment with someone you trust.

-Celebrate progress. Every kept promise rebuilds internal trust and confidence.

Your Charge Today...

Honor the promises you make to God, to others, and especially to yourself.

Let integrity be the quiet cadence of your walk.

Let your yes be yes.

Let your no be no.

And let the rebuilding begin with one small step of confidence, courage and self-respect.

Prayer

Father,

Thank You for being the God who keeps every promise. Teach me to honor my word with You, with others, and with myself. Heal the places where broken promises have damaged my identity, confidence, or peace. Give me the strength to rebuild trust within myself and the courage to walk in integrity. Help me value the commitments I make and to see myself the way You see me.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Stay encouraged and be blessed!