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Time is a funny thing. We spend so much of it making plans for the future and thinking about the things we wish we had done differently. We often forget that time squandered can’t ever be regained. Once it is gone, whether for good or bad, it is gone. As I share with you today, it is obvious that for much of 2018, I’ve wasted time. As a result, there are many things I haven’t kept up with in my life. I have a history class I want to revise. I’ve not been keeping up with my exercise and diet the way that I should. And I’ve not been as faithful in my personal Bible study as I should have been.
Things that squander our time
We all have things which takes up more of our time than they probably should. For me, it is easy to become focused health issues, work, family commitments, and even things I regret in my past. Each one of these things is enough to derail my best of intentions each day. A while back ago, when I was teaching a pre-teen Sunday school class, we discussed the things which can rob us of time. For a few, it was Facebook and other social media platforms. For others, it was video games and on-line gaming.No one is exempt for the very real spiritual battle of how we manage our life.
Our emotional state plays a role
A study of David’s life shows the power of emotions in our life. Whether it is our service to the Lord or our relationships with other believers, our emotions impact us. At times, when David was happy and full of life, his life reflected a wish to do all he could for the Lord. His faith wasn’t a chore or something he dreaded, but a part of himself he freely gave to God. But then there were the other times. And we’ve all experienced them. Our faith is challenged or we have failed Him. Guilt and depression begin to pull at our very soul. David captured this feeling when he wrote, How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? how long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? (Psalm 13:2).
But David doesn’t stop there. He doesn’t allow his emotional state of being interfere with his faith in the Lord. He writes, But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me (Psalm 13:5-6). This is often easier said than done especially if you struggle with depression. I often have to remind myself of the sovereignty of the Lord in every situation I face. And I understand it is difficult to praise and give thanks to the Lord when everything around you seems to be crashing down. It comes down to this: we either believe God will or we believe God can’t.
Attitude affects how we use our time
Our emotions have an impact on our attitude. Whether it is worshiping the Lord or even preparing dinner for the family, our attitude plays an important role. When we feel loved and valued by our family we have a tendency to focus on others more. For me, that involves cooking their favorite meals and helping with the household chores. Attitude is a mental position with regard to a fact or state; a feeling or emotion toward a fact or state.1
When we feel angry, bitter, or even depressed, our attitude will shift. Things that need to be done will often find a back seat as we seek emotional comfort. For me, that could be binge watching a television show on Netflix, eating junk food, or even binge-playing my favorite PC-based game. In a book written by Dr. Stephen Thurston Jr., Attitude – The Paint Brush of the Mind, the connection between our attitudes and how we approach the Lord and others around us is discussed. But as I read the book I began to understand my attitude was also affecting how I used my time.
Our attitude is a driving force each day
Since January of this year, there has been a struggle each day to stay focused on what needed to be done. At the heart of the struggle was my attitude. Unlike David who turned his entire heart over to the Lord, I allowed myself to become consumed by what I was feeling. Soon, things I normally did, such as daily Bible study and my daily prayer time began to suffer. My attitude, which was one of defeat and uselessness, was impacting every thing I did every day. Not only did it strain my relationship with the Lord, but it also affected relationships within my family, church, and even at work.
It also affected the ministry which the Lord called me into service. As you may have noticed, it has been a while since my last entry. The gifts and talents the Lord gave me went unused. Small things I do for the local church I attend, such as the monthly newsletter, the prayer list, and even preparation of the weekly Bible lesson I teach on Thursday were no longer fun. Therefore, they began to become things I did which were expected and not things I enjoyed doing. My attitude had caused me to lose my focus. I began focusing on other things trying to fill the void now created by my attitude. My attitude allowed me to waste time and to make excuses for it.
