Marriage from A to Z

When Is Enough, Enough?

     Yesterday my kids and I were traveling and started getting hungry for lunch.  At the time, we were not close to any restaurants.  I remembered that I had a big bag of Smartfood White Cheddar popcorn packed in my bag (yummy).  I took out the popcorn, the kids and I went for it.  Each one of us were taking turns eating the popcorn to hold us over until we could get lunch.  In my mind, I could eat until the entire bag of popcorn was gone however, I was sharing (smile).  After having several hands of popcorn, I knew that I had enough, but I just didn’t want to stop.  I kept on eating.  My son did the same.  All of sudden my daughter says, “I am done, I have had Enough, I have Self-Control.” I looked at her and thought, “Why did you have to say that?”  Her comment hit me like a ton of bricks, because I am working on SELF-CONTROL.  Especially when it comes to eating and things that I know I have in abundance.  Although I want to ignore this question, I keep hearing, “When is Enough, Enough?”  So this week I want to share the question with you.

The problem with what I said is that, “I knew that I had enough, but I just didn’t want to stop.” Enough is defined as an adequate quantity or number, sufficiency.  When you know that you have had enough of something, it is time to display some “Self-Control.”  Did you know that Self-Control is one of the Fruits of the Spirit?  Often we hear about displaying love, joy, peace, patience and kindness but at the end of the list in Galatians 5:22-23 is “Self-Control.”  The Fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a Christian.  So when we are in situations when “Enough is Enough” we must learn to pause, and call on God to help us to STOP.

When we don’t stop after having enough, usually some type of damage will be done.   We will over eat, over spend our time, money and end up having to pay for over indulgence.  Over indulgence will mess up your body, your health, your finances, your relationship and with some things, it creates clutter. Sometimes we allow things to have too much control over us. When the food, electronics, Internet, purse, clothes, shoes or whatever it is begins to call your name, you have got to ask your self, “Do I have enough?”

So this week I challenge you to take a look at your life.  Is there an area where you need to say “Enough is Enough!”  Pray for self-control and allow God to work this fruit in your life.  If this is not the Fruit of the Spirit that you have to work on, please take a moment to pray for a spirit of Self-Control on your family and friends who are struggling in this area.

Until next week . . .

Carolyn