Clients First: The Two Word Miracle

Fear and Resentment

When I was a young man, most of my friends and I had a fear of commitment. We were afraid of being locked in, so when asked about what we wanted to do with our lives or what our college major would be, we would cling to “undecided” as if it would protect us a while longer. We feared growing up. We feared responsibility. What I didn’t realize then was that I really had made commitments. I was committed to football in the fall and track in the spring and kissing a girl in the summer. These were worthy endeavors for a boy of 15.

As I grew up, as I took on responsibility, I found myself swamped with commitments, many of which came with a statement once a month. Every time I said yes, I formed a new commitment. Yes, I’ll come in to work on Sunday. Yes, we’ll help with the school fund-raiser. Yes, we’ll buy a new couch. Every now and then, I would melt down because of having too much to do, and I would pull back, only to gradually commit to new things. I resented commitment.

JoAnn’s experience is uniquely her own, but she admits to times she feared or resented commitment. If you look into your own heart, you have probably felt the same thing. Commitments can be oppressive masters and should not be taken lightly.