Don’t take it to heart, take it to Him
Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you. For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others. ~ Ecclesiastes 7:21-22
Have you ever had someone repeat something negative that was said about you? Maybe it was a friend, a family member, or even a co-worker who passed along a hurtful comment, whether out of concern or to influence your decisions. It doesn’t matter what the motive was, hearing that someone has spoken ill of you can wound your heart and shake your confidence, especially when you’ve been trying to do the right things and have a heart to serve others well.
In today’s reading, Solomon reminds us of something we often forget: people talk, and not everything they say is the truth or even how they really feel. Sometimes, people speak from frustration, emotion, or misunderstanding. And if we’re honest, we’ve done the same. We’ve all had moments where we’ve said things we regretted, maybe even about someone we care deeply about. That’s why Solomon says, don’t take everything to heart. It’s wise counsel for protecting your peace.
But what if the roles are reversed? Have you ever been the one who said something careless or unkind, only to find out it made its way back to the person it was about? That uncomfortable moment can bring a wave of regret. This passage reminds us that with humility, not just to extend grace when we’re hurt, but also to recognize when we’ve hurt someone else. Solomon says, “your own heart has known that even you have cursed others” (v. 22). He’s pointing us to a bigger truth: none of us are exempt from needing grace. We’re all learning, growing, and sometimes stumbling in our words. When we recognize our own shortcomings, it softens our heart toward others and teaches us to use our words more wisely.
This portion of Ecclesiastes is full of wisdom that grounds us in humility and balance. Solomon knows that life isn’t always fair and sometimes the righteous suffer while the wicked seem to flourish. He warns against extremes: don’t be overly righteous (self-righteous) or overly wicked (foolish). Instead, walk in the fear of the Lord and seek wisdom, because wisdom strengthens us like nothing else can (v. 18–19).
Solomon goes on to confess how elusive true understanding is. He searched for meaning, sought wisdom, and still realized that some things are too deep to grasp. Humans are flawed and we were created upright, but we’ve gone after countless distractions, deceptions, and schemes (v. 29). It’s a sobering truth, but it helps us understand why people (ourselves included) often fall short.
Here are some points to keep in mind as you navigate these uncertain times:
- Let Go of Offense
When you hear something hurtful, take a breath before you react. Ask God for wisdom and discernment. Sometimes it’s not even worth a response. Protect your heart by filtering what you allow to sink in. “Do not take to heart everything people say…” (v. 21) - Own Your Words
If something you said hurt someone else, be quick to apologize. Be humble enough to acknowledge your missteps. Let that experience shape how you speak going forward.
“For many times, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others.” (v. 22) - Pursue Wisdom with Humility
Don’t chase perfection or try to understand everything. Some things will remain a mystery. Instead, commit to walking in God’s wisdom day by day, trusting Him with what you can’t control or explain.
“Wisdom strengthens the wise…” (v. 19)
You don’t have to be trapped by past words, spoken by you or about you. Today can be a turning point. God’s mercy is new every morning, and His Spirit is ready to help you walk in wisdom and speak with grace. Your words can bring healing, encouragement, and hope to a world desperate for truth and kindness. Let today be the day you shift. Ask the Holy Spirit to do a good work in your heart and your mouth. Don’t take it to heart, take it to Him and follow the steps below:
- Start your day with prayer, asking God to help you filter your thoughts and protect your heart from unnecessary offense.
- Spend time in Proverbs or Ecclesiastes—books that are rich with wisdom for daily living.
- Memorize Ecclesiastes 7:21–22 as a reminder to release offense and walk in grace toward others and yourself.
- Practice kindness and self-awareness in your speech, even when you’re tempted to vent. Be someone others can trust with their name when they’re not around.
Today I want to encourage you to remember that life is full of people who will speak carelessly, misunderstand your heart, or try to steer your choices with their words. But don’t let their voices define your peace. Don’t take it all to heart. If you’ve been the one whose words have hurt, don’t let shame weigh you down. Instead, make it right, and grow from it. Solomon’s wisdom is both grounding and freeing: we’re all imperfect, all in need of grace, and all invited to walk in wisdom and humility.
So today, let go of what was said and what you may have said. Forgive, ask for forgiveness, and move forward. Guard your heart, watch your words, and let the wisdom of God lead you in peace. Don’t take it to heart, take it to Him.
Today’s scripture reading: Ecclesiastes 7:15-29
15 I have seen everything in my days of vanity: There is a just man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs life in his wickedness.
16 Do not be overly righteous, nor be overly wise: Why should you destroy yourself?
17 Do not be overly wicked, nor be foolish: Why should you die before your time?
18 It is good that you grasp this, and also not remove your hand from the other; For he who fears God will escape them all.
19 Wisdom strengthens the wise more than ten rulers of the city.
20 For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.
21 Also do not take to heart everything people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.
22 For many times, also, your own heart has known that even you have cursed others.
23 All this I have proved by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise”; But it was far from me.
24 As for that which is far off and exceedingly deep, who can find it out?
25 I applied my heart to know, to search and seek out wisdom and the reason of things, to know the wickedness of folly, even of foolishness and madness.
26 And I find more bitter than death the woman whose heart is snares and nets, whose hands are fetters. He who pleases God shall escape from her, but the sinner shall be trapped by her.
27 Here is what I have found,” says the Preacher, “Adding one thing to the other to find out the reason,
28 Which my soul still seeks but I cannot find: One man among a thousand I have found, but a woman among all these I have not found.
29 Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.”
The Daily Dose 