The beginning of a new year is, for me, always a time of reflection, of introspection, of careful consideration of the past and planning for the future. Such times often find me drawn to the words of Solomon in the book of Ecclesiastes, the greatest treatise on the human condition ever written. As we embark upon yet another chapter in the ongoing history of humanity on earth, think about these things:

“For in much wisdom is much grief, and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow” (Ecclesiastes 1:18). Isn’t it true that the more you see of life, the sadder it makes you? That’s not a negative statement; just an observation. The longer one lives, the more evil one witnesses, the more injustice one sees, the more grief one endures. The more one knows, the more aware one is of how things ought to be, and the more conscious one becomes of how rarely things are that way.

“I know that whatever God does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it, that men should fear before Him” (Ecclesiastes 3:14). Men spend a lot of time trying to improve upon the work of God. It can’t be done. We cannot make better what God has ordained, whether in nature or in spiritual things. We should learn merely to accept what God has created, and be grateful.

“That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past” (Ecclesiastes 3:15). Solomon said it simply back at Ecclesiastes 1:9: “There is nothing new under the sun.” Every generation comes along seeking its own style, its means of differentiating itself from others who went before. It’s a pointless, foolish and ultimately impossible task. Everything that can be done, has been done. We may improve the technology, but beneath the shiny new veneer, it’s still the same old, same old. And we can never impress God with our innovations — He’s “been there, seen that” innumerable times before.

“Better a handful with quietness than both hands full, together with toil and grasping for the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6). There are many Scriptures that remind us to be content with what we have (cf. Proverbs 15:16-17; Philippians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:6-8). Discontentment with our material lot is in reality rebellion against God, for to be discontented is to accuse God of not blessing us as He should. Solomon, who certainly had plenty of worldly goods, points out that it is better to have a few things and to enjoy them quietly rather than to have much and all of the grief that goes along with it.

“In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other” (Ecclesiastes 7:14) Be happy for the good times life brings you, but acknowledge that the bad times have their purpose as well. Sometimes we have to be brought low to better appreciate the highs. Sometimes God permits us to be tested, as Job was. That testing produces patience in us, whereby we are made more perfect (James 1:4).

“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). Don’t pay attention to the mean and cruel things people may say about you. How often have you said something cruel and mean about someone else without thinking, or really meaning it?