Messages disappear too fast!

Is there a way to adjust how quickly the notification for a message disappears and moves down to either internal or external discussions? We use messages for internal communications and sharing of drafts almost exclusively. I want to be able to quickly look at a message from a teammate and determine if I have to address now or later. Unfortunately, the messages always disappear once I view them  - even for 2 seconds -- and then I have to remember what file it was that I saw it on and go find it and that kind of defeats the whole purpose of having this tool, in my mind. I want to reduce my inbox by having these communications here, but I can’t keep them where I want them!