gistfile1.rb

#timers_helper.rb

module TimersHelper
def seconds_left
  [(@timer.target - Time.now).round, 0].max
end
end

#timers_controller.rb
  def refresh
    @timer = Timer.find(params[:id])
    render js: seconds_left
  end

#the seconds_left helper works fine in the view, but in the controller I get this:
#NameError in TimersController#ajaxrefresh
#undefined local variable or method `seconds_left' for #<TimersController:0x6ef58d8>