Appropriate use of models and metaphors

In 1931, Kurt Gödel proved that theories of elementary arithmetic cannot be both consistent and complete. My husband periodically reminds me that Gödel's incompleteness theorems have a rather narrow scope and formal applicability, but I have found it both useful and practical to apply the general principle to any and all models. I don't work in a formal enough environment to require an actual proof of the wider application, so I am open to the possibility that it will be DISprooved. Until someone presents such to me, though, I will freely use the principle.

Jeanne-Anne's extension: Any model or metaphor will hold "true" only up to a point. It will not explain everything or, if it tries to, it will have inherent contradictions and inconsistencies.

This is not to say models and metaphors are not useful. They are extremely useful communication tools for describing and analyzing reality. We just need to remember they are merely tools and not confuse the tool with the reality being described. Frankly, the boundaries where a model breaks down can be interesting highlights toward understanding the actual nature of reality.