Time is priceless. A dying queen is said to have cried, “Millions in money for an inch of time.”

Each of us is allotted a certain amount of time. How then shall we make the best use of it? How can we stop wasting time in depression, discouragement, or negativism?

First, listen to Jesus: “Let not your hearts be troubled, ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1). Our Lord is saying that we have the power to do something about our troubled hearts, our fears, our depression, our negativism.

The fact that we have the ability to reject down times may come as a surprise to some who have been seeking some deep spiritual secret that would keep them always on top, but our Lord’s words are clear: “Let not your heart be troubled.” We will do well then to accept the responsibility of our moods and actions and determine to correct them.

Second, be thankful for the good things that are happening to you right now. The moment you begin thanking God for His blessings, however small they may seem in your present frame of mind, you are on your way out of the valley.

When I awake in the morning, knowing that my family members are well and have lived through the night, I can count enough blessings to keep me positive all day.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray for daily bread. If there is food on the table, it is a day for praise … not for pouting.

Third, seize each pleasant moment and squeeze out every ounce of joy it contains. This good occasion will never return. There may be many other good times ahead but none quite like this one. Cherish it!

The Psalmist declared: “This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24). Lowell Thomas found such inspiration from this Bible verse that he had it framed and placed on the wall of his broadcasting studio so he could read it often.

Drink deeply from the present. Look for beauty that surrounds you but that you have been too busy or preoccupied to see. Listen for sounds that you have been missing. Hold someone you love and be glad you are alive.

In his book, “HOW TO WIN OVER WORRY,” John Edmund Haggai says: “Give every moment your all. Give your entire attention to the work at hand, the person with whom you are talking or dealing. The Lord grants unto us time only in the quantity we can use it – one moment at a time.”

John Ruskin kept a piece of stone on his desk containing just one word: “TODAY.”

Think of the time you have left in life as money in the bank. Each moment the balance is reduced, and you are the spender.

Spend wisely.

Finally, remember that each moment of time has eternal value. We are stewards of seconds. Each tick of the clock contains opportunities for serving the Lord in which we can lay up eternal rewards.

Life is too short to waste any portion of it feeling down. There just isn’t time.

Look up … and stay on top today … and everyday.

Roger Campbell was an author, a broadcaster and columnist who was a pastor for 22 years. Contact us at rcministry@ameritech.net