When we make mistakes and see their consequences, we often feel cornered; it hurts to have failed, and we can end up ashamed. In those moments we make promises, vows, or commitments in an effort to minimize the damage and avoid repeating the same error. 
It’s striking how Pharaoh, on repeated occasions, changed his decision about letting the Hebrews go. When the plagues harmed his kingdom and he could not explain what was happening, he would bow his head, acknowledge his error, and even ask that they pray for him! In those moments, he sincerely decided to let them go. But then, once the crisis calmed, his pride returned and arrogance took control again. 
Indeed, it was an absurd way to behave. But… don’t we do the same thing? We make mistakes, and when we see the consequences, we feel trapped and ashamed. That’s when we make promises, vows, or commitments to try to minimize the damage and prevent ourselves from repeating the failure. 
It’s likely that in that moment we are sincere and truly regret our behavior — at least until the next time, when, once the pain has faded or the consequences are forgotten, we repeat the same failing. 
That’s how human nature works. You stay up watching TV until 1 a.m. on a weekday and swear tomorrow will be different. You truly mean it. But when tomorrow comes, the guilt and frustration have lessened, you don’t feel quite as tired, there are good shows on… and at 1 a.m. you find yourself promising again that it won’t happen. 
Back to Pharaoh: was he really prepared for another plague just because the pain from the last one had faded? It’s crazy! And we do the same — just as irrationally. Still, there is a possible difference between us and Pharaoh: we can recognize that we’re behaving irrationally. 
If we do recognize it, there’s the possibility of change — and that choice is up to us alone. The problem is that the longer we delay making that choice, the stronger the thing we want to give up will control us. 
What is your challenge? What is your struggle? The apostle Paul says:
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Thinking — like Pharaoh — that this erratic way of living will somehow work out is simply postponing the inevitable. The time is today; it is now. Make the decision you’ve been delaying and, once and for all, change your life and the lives of those around you for the better.
It’s striking how Pharaoh, on repeated occasions, changed his decision about letting the Hebrews go.