Too much of a Good Thing

We’ve all been there. Yeah, in that boat of experiencing too much of a good thing.

It could be that we ate too much at the buffet. Or that our “general connection” with people on Facebook (or technology in general) has taken a priority over our time with the Lord. Or our intention of working out is now borderline unhealthy.

There are so many good things in this world. But these good things have to be kept on a leash, lest the good things usurp our God things.

I had this epiphany a few days ago while sitting in my living room. Baby girl was napping so I was pounding out some words. I had just taken a bath and put on a spritz of my favorite scent (a rare occurrence, especially when hubs is going away to army training. )

Earlier that day, I power cleaned (as in straightened-up, not weightlifted) the downstairs, so the faint scent of cleanliness hung in the air.

I am also a sucker for smelly candles, so had a surprisingly powerful chocolate-soy-latte candle lit and burning in the room.

It wasn’t very long before all of these good things combined together and make me feel gross.

My head started to ache. My stomach got a bit queasy. My get-up-and-go to work totally just got-up-and-went.

All these good things began to derail my focus on the task at hand.

I was comfortable in the chair, but I knew I had to take action before my progress was halted completely.

I blew out the candle and opened a couple of windows. In just a few moments, the breath of fresh air neutralized the stifling scent combination. My head and stomach calmed. And I was able to continue with my tasks until naptime ceased.

I tell you this story to share this lesson: Good things can hit that “too much” level in a split second.

Especially when it comes to the items that threaten to take God’s place.

This really applies to my life– and not just with my obsession with pretty-smelling things. I have to be very careful with all of the opportunities that come my way.

Volunteering for a new philanthropy? Good thing. Taking a leadership role with in the church? Good thing. Creating a new workout plan? Good thing. Loving my army husband? Good thing (ok, REALLY good thing.) Parenting our daughter? Also good (really good) thing.

But ALL of these things together? Sometimes, it can equal a headache (or a spiritual ulcer.)

Just because it is a good thing does not mean it is a God thing.

Henry Blackaby says in his book “Hearing God’s Voice” that sin is essentially “missing the mark.” Ouch, right? Admittedly, there are times that I have lived in sin because I have put a good thing above the God things in my life.

The whole process is a lifetime experience, one that I am constantly checking in with the Big Man Upstairs. I must know what HE wants me to say yes/no to. Only in those moments do I hit the mark and walk in His will.

It is all about discernment then obedience (in that order.)

Friends, in what areas of your life do you struggle with too much of a good thing? What are your strategies to keep it in check? Jump in the conversation and leave a comment.

Oh, and if you are in a place of “Is this a good thing or God thing?” I would love to pray with and/or walk with you. Swing by my coaching page for details, submit a prayer request or contact me via sharita@7daystime.com.

Be encouraged. God doesn’t want you to live a life busy with mediocre good things. He wants you to live a life for Him, abundantly full of God things.

Because when it comes to following Jesus, there is no such thing as too much of a God thing.

More Jesus Please,