No More Wasting Time - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - October 11

No More Wasting Time
By: Victoria Riollano

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12

An hour and a half.

On a hot summer’s day, I waited impatiently at a park for my playdate to start. As thirty minutes turned to an hour, I could feel myself getting more and more aggravated as I awaited the other mother to show up. Yet, every twenty minutes or so, she would send me a message assuring me she was on her way. So, I waited and waited. An hour and a half later, with no real explanation, she arrived with a big smile ready for her children to play with my children. My kids, however, were hot, bothered whiny, and ready to go home. Within ten minutes of her arrival, we left to head home. All I could think of was what a waste of time. Even to this day, I think of the things I could have done while waiting for her to arrive.

If I’m honest, however, she wasn’t the first person to waste my time.

I was.

Year after year, I allowed myself to stay in situations the Lord was removing. I wasted time in relationships that were doing me more harm than good. I wasted time on meaningless distractions that kept me from being focused on God’s will. I am convinced that I am not the only one.

Have you found yourself wasting your own time?

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Psalm 90:12

In this verse, we are reminded of the importance of each day. As we learn to “number our days” we are reminded that tomorrow is not promised. Thus, we have to choose wisely how we will spend each one. When we do so, the Bible says we will gain a heart of wisdom. In other words, being aware of limited life will give us the desire to operate in discernment over each choice. We will recognize that there is no time for wasting time. Just like with rare jewels, the fact that time is limited makes it more valuable. Instead of throwing our time away aimlessly, we should hold it dearly recognizing that it can never be gained back once lost. Thus, the key to numbering our days is seeking the Lord for His will daily. We have a responsibility to tap into His plan rather than our own.

It is important to remember that before were even born, the Lord ordained each of our days. He not only had a plan for our overall life but took time to consider how we would spend our individual moments. His desire was never for us to walk haphazardly through life or be wrapped up in environments that caused us emotional damage. Instead, before our first day, He was intentional about us and His plans.

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:14

Today, my prayer is that we will reclaim our time. We must make a choice to no longer allow unhealthy relationships and situations to overtake our time on Earth. We must be okay with walking away from toxic environments, petty arguments, and everything else would be a distraction. When we learn to do so, we will have more time to hear the Lord when He tells us to pray for someone or to step out in faith. We will live boldly and without regret knowing we did all God has called us to do.

Although one day I will forget that long hot playdate at the park, I will always remember the agony of waiting and knowing there was something more valuable that could be done. Let us remember that as long as we have breath in our body, the Lord wants to move in our lives. If we are intentional about His will, we will save ourselves years of frustration and waiting on His promises.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Victoria Riollano is an author, blogger, and speaker. As a mother of six, military spouse, Psychology professor and minister’s wife, Victoria has learned the art of balancing family and accomplishing God’s ultimate purpose for her life. Recently, Victoria released her book, The Victory Walk: A 21 Day Devotional on Living A Victorious Life. Her ultimate desire is to empower women to live a life of victory, hope, and love. She believes that with Christ we can live a life that is ALWAYS winning. You can learn more about her ministry at victoryspeaks.org.

Related Resource: Instead of Doing More This Summer, Maybe You Need to Do Less

If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.

Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.

Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.

I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!