I think it’s about time to pick up our armor–our daily affirmations, and recommit to them. Things are rough. People are rough. I don’t want to be rough. I don’t want to be rough on myself and in turn my loved ones or even just the unsuspecting lady in the parking lot! The world is full of fiery darts meant to kill, steal and destroy. I don’t need to be a dart thrower or a dart absorber–is that even a thing? You know what I mean right? We have weapons at our disposal to fight these attack darts whether they come from within our own heart or from someone else. So let’s choose an affirmation–a truth— to meditate on, proclaim, and choose (yes, choose) to live by. I took the liberty of going ahead and choosing an affirmation for us. This daily affirmation is taken from 2 Corinthians 9:8, I Have Enough.
Daily Affirmations: I Have Enough
Pretty timely daily affirmation huh? We live in a world filled to the brim with, “I want…I wish” followed closely by “I need…” But what if every day this week we told ourselves, “I Have Enough.” Think of how those three words, short enough to fit in a tweet box, would change the way we spoke and then eventually thought about everything.
Rushing around the house, trying to get out the door to one of the many and varied places we go, how many times do we holler, “I don’t have enough time!”
Sure we do. Did God not give us enough time? I Have Enough.
Scanning the lines at the store with way more people than cashiers, how many times do we mumble, “I don’t have enough patience to stand here all day.”
Really? Do we really not have the patience or is it that we don’t want to practice our patience? And “all day” said in a long drawn out kind of way… the lines are so long and deep it’s going to take “all day” to wind our way through them? What do we consider “all day?” Twelve hours? Twenty-four? Less than thirty minutes? Maybe ten minutes? I Have Enough.
“Momma, I want xyz to infinity!” Let’s face it, or at least I will, it seems like my kids always want or need something! And how do I reply, sometimes in a not so nice way…”I don’t have enough money!”
Is it that I don’t have enough money or I choose not to have enough money for that request? Or, I really and truly don’t have enough money right now because I’ve chosen to spend it on other things? And that’s not necessarily a bad or good thing. We are free to choose where and how we spend our money. And sometimes momma needs a treat!
Let’s be careful with the words we use to describe our financial situation based upon our method of living. Let’s not poor mouth ourselves sitting in the drive-thru lane. Sometimes having enough is simply a matter of how, when and where we spend what we do have. And let’s be honest about what we consider enough. Our definition of enough will be exponentially different than that of a wife and mother in a Third World. Let me assure you–most of us do in fact have enough. Sounds like a great weapon to add to our daily affirmations arsenal–I have enough.
Let’s make a little pact, you know how Amazon offers such kind suggestions of other items we may like? Let’s ignore them. Let’s not stop, scroll, and look; let’s confidently utter, “I Have Enough” and go to checkout.
When we’re standing in line at the grocery store and look to the right and the left at all the miscellaneous junk on either side that suddenly seem like items we need–even though we didn’t even know we needed them mere minutes ago…let’s whisper to ourselves, “I Have Enough.”
When we feel like we cannot do one more blessed thing for one more blessed person, let’s remind ourselves, way down deep in our hearts and minds, “I Have Enough.”
I have enough time for the lonely old lady telling me about her bursitis because I may the only person she has to talk to. I have enough room on my lap for two squirmy children to sit while I try to read a book to them. I have enough energy for my husband late at night when the rest of the house sleeps. I have enough patience to make dinner and answer a million and one questions from what some days seems like a million and one children.
I have enough time to pick back up the practice of repeating daily affirmations to myself. If we want to change the way we speak, we need to change the way we speak to and about ourselves.
And most importantly, let’s remember we have enough time to spend with Jesus at some point during this day, even if it doesn’t look all early morning, holy, Pinterest-worthy, Instagram pretty, with a candle on top.
Debbie says
Thank you so much for sharing Christ with us. Thank you for this word in due season. I have enough and I too want to share it with those I come in contact with daily. Starting with my family! God Bless You!
Michelle says
I loved it then and have kept it with me. Thanks Jenny.
Jenny says
I’m glad Michelle. Fortunately/Unfortunately this is a message I have to hear repeatedly.
Katie says
I loved the affirmation, “I have enough time to spend with Jesus”. If I have enough time for everything else, why not something that really matters? Absolutely resonated with me! Thanks, Jenny.
Jenny says
Writing that one down was a huge, “Ohhhh, ya, you do girl,” moment for me.
Emily says
Great reminder that we have enough! And that ENOUGH is found in Christ. We have everything IN Him and nothing without Him!
Jenny says
Hi Emily. Yes, enough–such a word filled with freedom eh? I have this image as a wallpaper on our phone.
Clare says
Thank you for this…Yes, I have MORE than enough in a world where so many others have so little…I have enough!!!
Jenny says
Hi Clare. Yes I Have Enough said with exclamation!! That’s using those words as a battle cry!
Michelle says
I printed the bold red sign. Would you believe I didn’t have enough ink? Well, if I hadn’t spent the money at Wendy’s, I would have. And I was crying poor while waiting in the drive thru. Thanks for this great post.
Truth be told, we have too much around here. But not enough of what we really need.
You know, of course this is so related to gratitude. I can tell now when I have let this practice fall to the wayside. I start to become and react in all of the ways you have mentioned.
I will begin again today to jot them down. I’ve also been pondering how it might be a good practice to write a few good things down about anyone who is vexing me.
Jenny says
Oh I am right there with you girl…no money for this thing but can find money for that…Yes, gratitude is the key. Did you notice I said I was going to keep track of my gratitude affirmations and then haven’t? Let’s pray for each other, especially in these last couple of weeks of 2014.
suzzie says
oh I love it. God does take care of us in such beautiful ways. I love this reminder right in the Holiday season where we can start to feel so greedy if we don;t remember what the real gift is. Christ’s gift.
Jenny says
Thanks for the visit Suzzie. It is hard sometimes as we seem to get busier and busier isn’t?
Barbara says
AMEN AMEN AMEN… this is like balm to my soul
Jenny says
It makes my heart good to hear that Barbara.
Erica Saint says
Yes. I have enough.
Jenny says
Hi Erica thanks for the visit!
Mary Collins says
Love it. You have a way getting right to heart of the matter. We do seem to forget that God has given us what we need. In this materialistic society, this is something we all need to remember.
Jenny says
Hi Mary. Yes, He has given so much and yet we still look for a little more.
Tobi says
Wonderful reminder..love it!
Jenny says
Hi Tobi, thanks for the visit.
Amanda says
Such a perfect sentiment for this week before Christmas. It’s so easy to get rushed into the sentiments of the culture but I love how simple and powerful these three words are. Hugs and pray you have a blessed Christmas, Jenny!
Jenny says
I too loved those three little words with so much impact. I keep repeating it to myself.
Colleen Mitchell says
And just so you know I am not immune, I have had to give myself this same talk as I gather a couple of items for each our own kids and the mamas who will be at our Emmaus Center for Christmas. It is enough. I love this series, friend. So encouraging and gently leading.
Jenny says
Hi Colleen, yes it is enough.
Melanie says
A beautiful and timely reminder 🙂
Blessings.
Jenny says
Hi Melanie. Thanks for stopping by.
Anita Ojeda says
Spot on, my friend! I really do have enough! I am blessed beyond measure and I should be worrying about what I can give and share :). Thank you for the reminder (and you really should link this up at Inspire Me Monday at my blog–it’s just the sort of thing that needs to be shared!).
Jenny says
Thanks for the invite Anita. I will link up over there on a Monday.
Natalie Busch says
You are so right. It is so easy to get lost in all of the greed of the season. I do have enough in Him and through HIm. Love this idea!
Jenny says
Hi Natalie, yes we have more than enough of Him. So happy to have like minded bloggers stop by.
Susan Shipe says
“I have enough.” My cup is full and runs over! Perfect post for this day. xo
Jenny says
Yes Susan…my cup is not only full, but runs over!!