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True Life: Practical Wisdom from the Book of Ecclesiastes
Mother-Daughter Team Provides Insights from Ecclesiastes for When Life Doesn’t Go as Planned
Life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect. It is often out of our control and beyond our comprehension. Where do we turn in those times? The book of Ecclesiastes offers a guide for life―in the good and the bad.
In True Life: Practical Wisdom from the Book of Ecclesiastes, Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre lay out 14 lessons that can be learned from Ecclesiastes, helping women see what it looks like to fear God and obey him in the day-to-day. By examining the way life truly is, readers can find the wisdom to endure life’s hardships and enjoy life’s pleasures.
Written for Christian Women: Advice and encouragement applicable for women in every season of life
Includes Space for Reflection: Insightful questions spread throughout each chapter give opportunities for prayer and deeper reflection
Practical: Examines what it looks like to fear God in day-to-day life, offering helpful tips and examples from real life
Written by Mother and Daughter: Coauthors of Girl Talk; True Beauty; and True Feelings
Life doesn’t always turn out the way we expect. It is often out of our control and beyond our comprehension. Where do we turn in those times? The book of Ecclesiastes offers a guide for life―in the good and the bad.
In True Life: Practical Wisdom from the Book of Ecclesiastes, Carolyn Mahaney and Nicole Whitacre lay out 14 lessons that can be learned from Ecclesiastes, helping women see what it looks like to fear God and obey him in the day-to-day. By examining the way life truly is, readers can find the wisdom to endure life’s hardships and enjoy life’s pleasures.
Written for Christian Women: Advice and encouragement applicable for women in every season of life
Includes Space for Reflection: Insightful questions spread throughout each chapter give opportunities for prayer and deeper reflection
Practical: Examines what it looks like to fear God in day-to-day life, offering helpful tips and examples from real life
Written by Mother and Daughter: Coauthors of Girl Talk; True Beauty; and True Feelings
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2023
26 people are currently reading
164 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Mahaney
31 books53 followersCarolyn Mahaney is a wife, mother, and homemaker. Having spent over thirty years as a pastor's wife, Carolyn has spoken to women in many churches and conferences. She is the author of Feminine Appeal, Girl Talk, Shopping for Time and True Beauty. She blogs with her daughters at www girltalkhome com, a blog focused on biblical womanhood. Carolyn and her husband, C. J., are the parents of three married daughters and one son, and the happy grandparents to twelve grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 17, 2024
So good. Wise reminders + analysis of Ecclesiastes.
Quote I found helpful:
“We’re so accustomed to adversity and so pessimistic about the future, that a day of prosperity smells highly suspicious to us. "Not to be trusted!" we declare. "Bound to end in disaster!" Days of prosperity are, to our minds, little more than bad omens. But this response only exposes our ongoing attempts to control and comprehend life. In a twisted kind of way, we think that if we decide now that today (and tomorrow and the next day) are going to be days of adversity, then we can do better damage control. Or we think we can calculate God's next move and get a jump-start on our response. But the result of this kind of wrong-headed thinking is that we not only worry when bad things happen, but we also worry when good things happen. And so, we end up worrying most of the time.”
What are we supposed to do instead? Actively rejoice in our circumstances.
Quote I found helpful:
“We’re so accustomed to adversity and so pessimistic about the future, that a day of prosperity smells highly suspicious to us. "Not to be trusted!" we declare. "Bound to end in disaster!" Days of prosperity are, to our minds, little more than bad omens. But this response only exposes our ongoing attempts to control and comprehend life. In a twisted kind of way, we think that if we decide now that today (and tomorrow and the next day) are going to be days of adversity, then we can do better damage control. Or we think we can calculate God's next move and get a jump-start on our response. But the result of this kind of wrong-headed thinking is that we not only worry when bad things happen, but we also worry when good things happen. And so, we end up worrying most of the time.”
What are we supposed to do instead? Actively rejoice in our circumstances.
June 8, 2025
This was a timely book for me to read! I finished it the day before my 20th birthday, and it certainly refined my goals for the next decade of my life.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel great about yourself and warm and fuzzy inside, this is not the book for you. If you want your expectations checked and pride exposed, then you’ve picked up the right reading material.
I’m very impressed with how graciously the authors approach such an uncomfortable, countercultural book such as Ecclesiastes, without falling into the trap of watering down the truth. I really loved how they didn’t try to be relatable or have an overly apologetic tone, like most Biblical commentaries geared towards women so often do.
It feels almost unfair to say, but my only reasons for not 5 stars are…
Some illustrations were cheesy. I know…tough critic.
I wish there were a few more ties to how the Gospel and not simply the character of God (and yes I know they’re one-in-the-same but I appreciate when someone really spells out the ties between the Old and New Testament because I’m prone to discouragement when reading and studying the Old Testament). I guess what I’m trying to say is I wish there was a few more mentions of Christ and how His death on the cross significantly changes our outlook in life. HE is our joy. For some reason, I felt the book lacked that connection.
Sometimes the book is slightly repetitive. But maybe I needed that. Maybe you do, too!
I loved this book, it made Christ sweeter in my eyes. I’m going to add a quote that sums up what I learned from this book as soon as I can pull it out of my checked luggage :)
If you’re looking for a book that will make you feel great about yourself and warm and fuzzy inside, this is not the book for you. If you want your expectations checked and pride exposed, then you’ve picked up the right reading material.
I’m very impressed with how graciously the authors approach such an uncomfortable, countercultural book such as Ecclesiastes, without falling into the trap of watering down the truth. I really loved how they didn’t try to be relatable or have an overly apologetic tone, like most Biblical commentaries geared towards women so often do.
It feels almost unfair to say, but my only reasons for not 5 stars are…
Some illustrations were cheesy. I know…tough critic.
I wish there were a few more ties to how the Gospel and not simply the character of God (and yes I know they’re one-in-the-same but I appreciate when someone really spells out the ties between the Old and New Testament because I’m prone to discouragement when reading and studying the Old Testament). I guess what I’m trying to say is I wish there was a few more mentions of Christ and how His death on the cross significantly changes our outlook in life. HE is our joy. For some reason, I felt the book lacked that connection.
Sometimes the book is slightly repetitive. But maybe I needed that. Maybe you do, too!
I loved this book, it made Christ sweeter in my eyes. I’m going to add a quote that sums up what I learned from this book as soon as I can pull it out of my checked luggage :)
July 8, 2024
“Enjoy life. Worship God. Sing while you clean, laugh while you feast, listen while you worship, consider while you suffer. Fear and obey. This is the whole, dangerous, delightful duty that we have been given here under the sun. So simple. So joyful. So glorious. True life awaits the woman who, by the power of the Holy Spirit, fears God and keeps His commandments… Every day may be different, but the way to live everyday is the same. ‘Fear God and keep his commandments’ is the grand simplifier of our lives.”
Read this for a book discussion with Kenwood women. Great to read while going through an Ecclesiastes sermon series too. Loved how approachable the chapters are. They cover core selections from the book of Ecclesiastes and provide both explanation and practical applications. The main point of the book (and the book of Ecclesiastes) is that we cannot control what happens in this life, and we cannot understand God’s providence. Therefore, our duty is to obey Him today, to be content with what He has provided today, and to enjoy His good gifts today. An excellent read.
Read this for a book discussion with Kenwood women. Great to read while going through an Ecclesiastes sermon series too. Loved how approachable the chapters are. They cover core selections from the book of Ecclesiastes and provide both explanation and practical applications. The main point of the book (and the book of Ecclesiastes) is that we cannot control what happens in this life, and we cannot understand God’s providence. Therefore, our duty is to obey Him today, to be content with what He has provided today, and to enjoy His good gifts today. An excellent read.
July 19, 2023
A must-read! The first section of this book is about the way life is (uncontrollable, wearisome, unhappy, etc…) and why we shouldn’t be surprised by this. After all, “vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (“All is mere breath.”) The latter half is about how we can and should live in light of these realistic truths. The authors unpack the wisdom of Ecclesiastes in a very accessible way - one that’s convicting and encourages you to view life differently because of God’s Word and His promises.
June 7, 2024
Somewhere between a devotional, a commentary, and some practical life wisdom. I really enjoyed this and found it easy to read. A great companion to reading Ecclesiastes :)
December 28, 2022
This book was one of the most challenging I’ve read this year. It was paradigm shifting in the most helpful way. True Life gave me a biblical realism about life that stopped short of cynicism. It gave me a reality check about what really matters and lasts and motivated me to invest well in those things. It prepared me to face both the blessings and trials that await me in the future, trusting God’s goodness, love and wisdom. I plan to read it again next year!
February 21, 2024
Second read-through:
Perhaps even more precious than before. A much needed antidote to how I naturally think. I was borderline depressed when I began this book this year, tired of everything I had to do and be every day, and after finishing this, I have a fresh spring in my step. It challenged and corrected my assumptions, my fears, and my motivations. Far and away my favorite of the valuable discipling provided by the "True ____" series.
--------------
First read-through:
Thisbook, which my church graciously gave to all its women for Christmas, came to me at exactly the right moment. It's fitting that it's called True Life, because "life-giving" was the phrase I kept using to describe it to others.
After my fourth child was born, I was struck with great fearfulness I had never had before. I didn't have postpartum depression; in fact, I was happier than ever, but my reaction was fear. Rooted in hard thoughts of God, my beliefs were that life was too good and surely the other shoe was about to drop. That was my state of mind when I first picked up this volume.
It met me so wisely. This little read-through of Ecclesiastes' main themes was tender, but not patronizing; hard-hitting, but not brutal. It lacked the "me too girl!" tone that turns me off in so many women's books.
The goal of Ecclesiastes, the authors argue, is to make us happy realists. And we MUST face life as it truly is if we EVER want unshakeable happiness.
So, many of the chapters sound like downers: "Life is Wearisome," "Life is Grievous." Yet, after facing what life is and meditating (once again) on how this leads us to depend on God and trust Him MORE, not less, I left each chapter charged with hope. It was like a slap of fresh cold water in the face. I read it like an addictive novel. My soul drank from God's sufficiency and was satisfied.
One of the greatest paradigms they re-introduced (I say re because I have had to be taught this over and over, but this was one of the most successful go-rounds because of their presentation) was that true life is received, not achieved. I want to receive my life as it is given. I don't want to ruin my enjoyment when it is full of good things by over-analyzing it or trying to grasp it so that it always stays this way. I don't want to ruin my chance to benefit from the bad things by turning away from the source of all goodness. I want to receive all things from His hand, trusting Him.
Perhaps even more precious than before. A much needed antidote to how I naturally think. I was borderline depressed when I began this book this year, tired of everything I had to do and be every day, and after finishing this, I have a fresh spring in my step. It challenged and corrected my assumptions, my fears, and my motivations. Far and away my favorite of the valuable discipling provided by the "True ____" series.
--------------
First read-through:
Thisbook, which my church graciously gave to all its women for Christmas, came to me at exactly the right moment. It's fitting that it's called True Life, because "life-giving" was the phrase I kept using to describe it to others.
After my fourth child was born, I was struck with great fearfulness I had never had before. I didn't have postpartum depression; in fact, I was happier than ever, but my reaction was fear. Rooted in hard thoughts of God, my beliefs were that life was too good and surely the other shoe was about to drop. That was my state of mind when I first picked up this volume.
It met me so wisely. This little read-through of Ecclesiastes' main themes was tender, but not patronizing; hard-hitting, but not brutal. It lacked the "me too girl!" tone that turns me off in so many women's books.
The goal of Ecclesiastes, the authors argue, is to make us happy realists. And we MUST face life as it truly is if we EVER want unshakeable happiness.
So, many of the chapters sound like downers: "Life is Wearisome," "Life is Grievous." Yet, after facing what life is and meditating (once again) on how this leads us to depend on God and trust Him MORE, not less, I left each chapter charged with hope. It was like a slap of fresh cold water in the face. I read it like an addictive novel. My soul drank from God's sufficiency and was satisfied.
One of the greatest paradigms they re-introduced (I say re because I have had to be taught this over and over, but this was one of the most successful go-rounds because of their presentation) was that true life is received, not achieved. I want to receive my life as it is given. I don't want to ruin my enjoyment when it is full of good things by over-analyzing it or trying to grasp it so that it always stays this way. I don't want to ruin my chance to benefit from the bad things by turning away from the source of all goodness. I want to receive all things from His hand, trusting Him.
April 6, 2023
"How many breaths will we take in our lifetime? There's no way we can possibly plan or decide or know. Breath eludes us, as does all of life. In other words, life is incomprehensible and uncontrollable. It's beyond our ability to understand or manage. This is reality."
I have a lot of favorite verses from the book of Ecclesiastes, but this is my first time reading a book that dives deep into this book in the Bible and shares its practical wisdom for our day-to-day lives. The authors of this book helped readers fully understand the wisdom from Ecclesiastes that will help us to see life with the correct perspective and live our lives to the fullest. This book has 14 chapters that cover various themes in the book of Ecclesiastes and provide questions for further reflection throughout each chapter. Although this is my first time reading a book written by Carolyn & Nicole Mahaney, I enjoyed the writing style immediately from start to finish. Their writing is biblically rooted and the wisdom explored in this book is truly encouraging.
"What is the point of trying to control people and circumstances when your life is a mere breath? What is the point of gripping the wheel so tightly when it is not connected to the tires?"
"What confidence and comfort to know that not only is God in control of everything, he is controlling everything in such a way that makes it beautiful! Better than that, he already has made it beautiful. It is already done and dusted, determined and decided, a fait accompli."
In this review, I'd like to share several parts of this book that stood out to me and helped shift my paradigm about life. The first one comes from the chapter Life is Well-Timed which reminds us how we have no control over the seasons of the year or the times of our lives. I love how this section of the book points out the importance of understanding God's sovereignty and His providence that governs all things, including every little detail in our lives. This fact should give us confidence and comfort because we know that God controls everything and has made it beautiful according to His glorious purposes. At the moment, our circumstances might seem confusing or even hopeless to us, but it's helpful to know that there is a reason for every season in our lives, both good and bad. It feels freeing when we don't have to fret over our lack of control. Instead, we can simply receive and enjoy, work and rest, and truly trust in the sovereignty of our God.
The chapter Live Wisely also has a lot of mind-opening passages that I want to keep reminding myself of. One of the passages in this chapter that struck me says that we tend to overthink God's blessings, thinking that our prosperity or success is proof of God's pleasure in us. Another one mentions how we sometimes see days of prosperity as some kind of bad omens as a way to do better damage control. I have struggled a lot with this issue in the past that's why this chapter rebuked me hard. In the end, Solomon reminds us that since we cannot predict what tomorrow will bring, all that's left to do is to simply rejoice. Don't spend all our good and bad days in misery and worry. That's something I need to keep repeating to myself over and over.
"Being realistic about our lives and about the people in our lives is not always easy to do. This is why we need daily doses of realism from Ecclesiastes. We need to read this book regularly to remind ourselves what life and people are truly like and how to truly live. Living with an Ecclesiastes mindset will turn us into truly happy, hopeful realists."
The last one that I think is worth mentioning in this review will be the last chapter in this book, Live Fearfully. This chapter wraps up the book nicely because it emphasizes what we can do to acquire true life: to fear and obey God. Even though our lives on earth are just mere breath, a vanity, what we do with it still matters because of what God has done. The works that we do in the fear of God matters and it will endure for eternity. It encourages me to keep enjoying life, worship God when we do our chores, and trust God while we suffer instead of questioning or trying to control what will happen next.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and learned so much from it! The authors slowly open our eyes to the realities of life and guide us to become happy and hopeful realists that surrender control to God who is sovereign and appoints everything. Every single chapter was eye-opening and I appreciate the reflection questions provided throughout the book that helped me meditate on my way of life. It might not be easy but applying the practical wisdom from the book of Ecclesiastes will help us avoid bitterness or confusion due to our unrealistic expectations about life. This is a book that I'd want to re-read in the future just the remind me of its wisdom as I walk through various seasons of life and I highly recommend it to Christian women of any age 😊.
"Enjoy life. Worship God. Sing while you clean, laugh while you feast, listen while you worship, consider while you suffer. Fear and obey. This is the whole dangerous, delightful duty that we have been given here under the sun. So simple. So joyful. So glorious. True life awaits the woman who, by the power of the Holy Spirit, fears God and keeps his commandments."
Read my full review here:
http://www.thebookielooker.com/2023/0...
May 19, 2025
This book was amazing!! it was full of so much wisdom and helped me to fall in love with the Book of Ecclesiastes. I always associated the Book of Ecclesiastes as the depression book of the Bible and it was a book I wouldn’t choose to read. But I am so thankful that I not only read it but had this book to help me understand it. This book helped me to see that life is not in my control but joy can still be found in the mundane of life because of the Lord. Furthermore, any work done by my hands does matter when done out of the fear of the Lord.
June 11, 2025
Good snippets of information, but I’m left with questions. I would assume people curious about the Christian faith or new believers would be left with even more.
Expect a summary of overall themes, instead of an in-depth study, as some verses here and there were never included in the passages assigned to each chapter.
Expect a summary of overall themes, instead of an in-depth study, as some verses here and there were never included in the passages assigned to each chapter.
September 23, 2024
I appreciated the largely positive treatment of Ecclesiastes in this book and found much with which to agree and be edified. Most of the illustrations and applications are what you might have come to expect from the Mahaney’s if you’ve read any of their other work, largely catering to wives and mothers with young children (including a short token section on male and female “roles”).
One thing that made this book hard for me was recurring references to the season of “gossip and slander” that “nearly destroyed their family ministry”. As someone who was part of a SGM church during that season, I really wish they hadn’t kept bringing that up…for a variety of reasons that are beyond the scope of this review. This may be a non-issue for other readers, but it rubbed me the wrong way. It seems that highlighting a greater diversity of trials would have been more relatable for a wider audience.
One thing that made this book hard for me was recurring references to the season of “gossip and slander” that “nearly destroyed their family ministry”. As someone who was part of a SGM church during that season, I really wish they hadn’t kept bringing that up…for a variety of reasons that are beyond the scope of this review. This may be a non-issue for other readers, but it rubbed me the wrong way. It seems that highlighting a greater diversity of trials would have been more relatable for a wider audience.
May 5, 2023
I think this will be my best book of 2023
February 21, 2025
I am going to start documenting some of the takeaways from books! - This book was so good! This was just what I needed to read at this time in my life! The book tells us how we are to live our lives based on Ecclesiastes! I really cannot recommend this book enough!
Here are my takeaways from each chapter:
Ecclesiastes gives wisdom to endure life’s hardships and enjoy life’s pleasures
Life is uncontrollable
Hevel = vapor- it can’t be grasped
All the times things did go your way were just an illusion of control- you have no real control over the direction your life takes.
Our illusion that we could manage life or figure it all out needs to be stripped away.
Brief, battling and bad are normal conditions for life in this fallen world.
Life is wearisome
Whatever our aim, we grasp for a sense of control over some aspect of our lives that will bring us rest and satisfaction but we are never 100% fulfilled.
We strive for total satisfaction and get nothing but unutterable weariness.
We seek lasting significance only to end up unremarkable and unremembered.
Don’t waste your life chasing after the swindle satisfaction and significance under the sun.
Instead live for God, so that even when you are forgotten by men you and your work will be remembered by God.
Life is unhappy
God prescribes and send the frustrations we find in life.
Our problem is that we don’t expect life to be full of unhappy business.
We wrongly underestimate living in a sin-cursed world thinking if we work hard and make wise choices, our plans and efforts will succeed.
Instead, we should expect difficulties every day so that instead of being surprised when they happen, we expect our allotted trouble and are not thrown so off balance.
Adjusting our expectations to biblical realities helps steady our souls.
Take your difficulties with humility and joy as from the lord and they will be less unhappy.
LIFE IS GRIEVOUS
People develop idolatrous expectations of life by ignoring or discounting death.
We must hate death like Solomon.
⬆️ you must despair out of life before you can truly live.
The only way to loosen our death grip on life’s pursuits and pleasures is to stare death in the face.
LIFE IS ENJOYABLE
The things that provide Satisfying and sustaining happiness are the simple ordinary gifts of God.
Food, drink and work are not milestone events but all day every day blessings to be enjoyed.
We cannot achieve enjoyment. We can only receive it from the hand of God.
The reason we fail to find enjoyment in life is that we fail to find enjoyment in life is that we still try to achieve more than we have received.
Often we throw ourselves into our work or for the pleasure of fulfilling the task God has called us to but because we are hungry for satisfaction and significance.
The basic things in life are sweet. What spoils them is our hunger to get out of them more than they can give.
Life is about receiving from God what he chooses to give, not about reaching our dreams or becoming the best versions of ourselves.
Life is well timed
Like we can’t control the four seasons, we also can’t control the seasons and times of our lives.
Every season is predetermined and controlled by God.
Even when things look ugly twisted and confusing, God has crafted each moment and emotion of every persons life for a beautiful outcome!!!!
To truly live, you must truly trust in Gods sovereignty.
Life is incomprehensible
God has put eternity on our hearts which means we want to be able to understand how what’s happening in our life fits into the bigger picture. However, God has not allowed or created us to understand everything. Instead, God has delivered us from the burden of trying to understand our troubles. He uses what we do not understand to bring us to himself- who knows and controls all. Fearing God is our duty and highest joy.
Live faithfully
Disillusionment is Solomon’s goal - see life for what it is so we can truly live
Being joyful by enjoying Gods good gifts is the task we are to fulfill every day.
Approach life receptively, enjoying God’s good gifts as they unfold.
Toil is a gift- it brings satisfaction and gets us through unpleasant times.
We will experience grace in simply being faithful.
“Do the next thing”
Doing good may not be glamorous but it is glorious because it is gods gift to us- God crowns it with purpose and pleasure.
God gives us food and drink to enjoy, and pleasure in our work.
There is nothing better for than to be joyful and do good.
Life in God’s word is gift not gain.
Live industriously
How we work makes all the difference in how we live.
The best work is done with contentment.
You will get more out of life if you learn to make do with less.
The wrong kind of work is to “get more than her” - to outshine or not be out shown.
The wrong kind of rest is to put off tasks that seem unpleasant.
Laziness is incompatible with enjoyment since “there is nothing better for them than to do good”
Working side by side with others is the better way to live.
Bountiful harvest from labor happens when we work together, enjoying God’s blessings with, and doing good for others. This equals gain. Gain is the camaraderie, encouragement, support not what is achieved on the other side
Benefits- assistance, comfort, security of defense
Do you have one hand of quiet or two hands of striving after wind?
Quietness is freedom to get to work rolling up our sleeves with a smile and doing the work- not to gain- but because God has given as a gift.
Embrace the place you have been given.
Live carefully
A warning to watch our words and our hearts on our way into church- we are coming into the presence of God.
Be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Proper listening does not occur until we obey.
Check your sinful attitude at the door.
We must not enter church having allowed sinful attitudes to enter our hearts such as bitterness or selfish ambition.
Live Wisely
Be realistic: be realistic about life, and be realistic about the people you do life with.
In the day of prosperity be joyful and don’t overthink it. Being joyful isn’t a personality trait, it’s a Christian virtue.
You can’t manipulate or predict what tomorrow will hold. Don’t be pessimistic and end up spending all your good and bad days in misery.
In the day of adversity: consider and interpret our suffering biblically. Don’t just grit your teeth and bear it.
We may not see what God is doing but we are supposed to consider THAT he is doing it.
Don’t try to predict the outcome of adversity; instead consider the sovereignty of God and be comforted
Sinners are going to sin so don’t be surprised. Don’t take to heart other peoples snubs or spiteful words
Pay attention to what God’s word says.
Live Joyfully
Celebration and a festive attitude must be the prominent tone of our lives and pervade every aspect of our lives.
When God gives us gifts to enjoy, it is in fact our duty to enjoy them.
By enjoying God’s good gifts, we humbly receive them as from his hand. Far from displeasing God, our enthusiastic enjoyment honors him as the giver of all good things.
Don’t wait to get your life under control before you celebrate, don’t wait until your troubles go away to enjoy life- enjoy life right through the other side of your troubles.
Family meals and hospitality drape happiness over our home and church.
Fight futility with joy. Even though life’s puzzles could easily sour us toward life, wise people celebrate life as God’s good gift to be enjoyed amd they are alert to ways in which to do that. This does not mean being less serious about the pain but it means being more celebratory about the pleasures god gives to us in life.
Live boldly
Success is not certain but failure is not final.
We don’t know which of our efforts will prosper and which will fail. We don’t know the work of God.
Rather than predict failure before we even try, don’t predict anything at all. We cannot be sure whether this or that venture will fail or if both alike will be good.
We should bravely, exuberantly, freely run into the risks and uncertainties of life instead of shrinking back.
The true response of uncertainty is a redoubling of our effort.
Courageously invest your life resources and someday there will be a return.
Give everything you think you can and then give some more.
Life is a gift so give.
We don’t know what will happen tomorrow or next year so we should give all we can of our time, money, gifts and talents today.
How should you respond to life’s unpredictablity? Give your life away. Rather than holding out for a particular outcome, spend your time and energy on gospel work. Rather than holding onto your resources give away your money and your talents while you can
Fearless generosity!!
Live Fearfully
To keep God in view and to keep his commandments is our whole duty for our whole lives. These two points contain the whole of man- not just his duty only but his whole happiness and business, the total sum of all that concerns him, all that God requires of him, all that the savior enjoins, all that the Holy Spirit teaches and works in Him.
Don’t worry about how things will turn out in the future but think “God has entrusted me with this office with this work and I resolve to faithfully discharge it diligently”
When we question or try to control what’s going to happen next, we will drive ourselves into despair. But if we ask “how can I fear God and obey God right now?” There will always be an answer. There will always be a way forward.
Live this way because of the judgement day that is coming. Everything matters because everything will be judged.
1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
Here are my takeaways from each chapter:
Ecclesiastes gives wisdom to endure life’s hardships and enjoy life’s pleasures
Life is uncontrollable
Hevel = vapor- it can’t be grasped
All the times things did go your way were just an illusion of control- you have no real control over the direction your life takes.
Our illusion that we could manage life or figure it all out needs to be stripped away.
Brief, battling and bad are normal conditions for life in this fallen world.
Life is wearisome
Whatever our aim, we grasp for a sense of control over some aspect of our lives that will bring us rest and satisfaction but we are never 100% fulfilled.
We strive for total satisfaction and get nothing but unutterable weariness.
We seek lasting significance only to end up unremarkable and unremembered.
Don’t waste your life chasing after the swindle satisfaction and significance under the sun.
Instead live for God, so that even when you are forgotten by men you and your work will be remembered by God.
Life is unhappy
God prescribes and send the frustrations we find in life.
Our problem is that we don’t expect life to be full of unhappy business.
We wrongly underestimate living in a sin-cursed world thinking if we work hard and make wise choices, our plans and efforts will succeed.
Instead, we should expect difficulties every day so that instead of being surprised when they happen, we expect our allotted trouble and are not thrown so off balance.
Adjusting our expectations to biblical realities helps steady our souls.
Take your difficulties with humility and joy as from the lord and they will be less unhappy.
LIFE IS GRIEVOUS
People develop idolatrous expectations of life by ignoring or discounting death.
We must hate death like Solomon.
⬆️ you must despair out of life before you can truly live.
The only way to loosen our death grip on life’s pursuits and pleasures is to stare death in the face.
LIFE IS ENJOYABLE
The things that provide Satisfying and sustaining happiness are the simple ordinary gifts of God.
Food, drink and work are not milestone events but all day every day blessings to be enjoyed.
We cannot achieve enjoyment. We can only receive it from the hand of God.
The reason we fail to find enjoyment in life is that we fail to find enjoyment in life is that we still try to achieve more than we have received.
Often we throw ourselves into our work or for the pleasure of fulfilling the task God has called us to but because we are hungry for satisfaction and significance.
The basic things in life are sweet. What spoils them is our hunger to get out of them more than they can give.
Life is about receiving from God what he chooses to give, not about reaching our dreams or becoming the best versions of ourselves.
Life is well timed
Like we can’t control the four seasons, we also can’t control the seasons and times of our lives.
Every season is predetermined and controlled by God.
Even when things look ugly twisted and confusing, God has crafted each moment and emotion of every persons life for a beautiful outcome!!!!
To truly live, you must truly trust in Gods sovereignty.
Life is incomprehensible
God has put eternity on our hearts which means we want to be able to understand how what’s happening in our life fits into the bigger picture. However, God has not allowed or created us to understand everything. Instead, God has delivered us from the burden of trying to understand our troubles. He uses what we do not understand to bring us to himself- who knows and controls all. Fearing God is our duty and highest joy.
Live faithfully
Disillusionment is Solomon’s goal - see life for what it is so we can truly live
Being joyful by enjoying Gods good gifts is the task we are to fulfill every day.
Approach life receptively, enjoying God’s good gifts as they unfold.
Toil is a gift- it brings satisfaction and gets us through unpleasant times.
We will experience grace in simply being faithful.
“Do the next thing”
Doing good may not be glamorous but it is glorious because it is gods gift to us- God crowns it with purpose and pleasure.
God gives us food and drink to enjoy, and pleasure in our work.
There is nothing better for than to be joyful and do good.
Life in God’s word is gift not gain.
Live industriously
How we work makes all the difference in how we live.
The best work is done with contentment.
You will get more out of life if you learn to make do with less.
The wrong kind of work is to “get more than her” - to outshine or not be out shown.
The wrong kind of rest is to put off tasks that seem unpleasant.
Laziness is incompatible with enjoyment since “there is nothing better for them than to do good”
Working side by side with others is the better way to live.
Bountiful harvest from labor happens when we work together, enjoying God’s blessings with, and doing good for others. This equals gain. Gain is the camaraderie, encouragement, support not what is achieved on the other side
Benefits- assistance, comfort, security of defense
Do you have one hand of quiet or two hands of striving after wind?
Quietness is freedom to get to work rolling up our sleeves with a smile and doing the work- not to gain- but because God has given as a gift.
Embrace the place you have been given.
Live carefully
A warning to watch our words and our hearts on our way into church- we are coming into the presence of God.
Be quick to listen and slow to speak.
Proper listening does not occur until we obey.
Check your sinful attitude at the door.
We must not enter church having allowed sinful attitudes to enter our hearts such as bitterness or selfish ambition.
Live Wisely
Be realistic: be realistic about life, and be realistic about the people you do life with.
In the day of prosperity be joyful and don’t overthink it. Being joyful isn’t a personality trait, it’s a Christian virtue.
You can’t manipulate or predict what tomorrow will hold. Don’t be pessimistic and end up spending all your good and bad days in misery.
In the day of adversity: consider and interpret our suffering biblically. Don’t just grit your teeth and bear it.
We may not see what God is doing but we are supposed to consider THAT he is doing it.
Don’t try to predict the outcome of adversity; instead consider the sovereignty of God and be comforted
Sinners are going to sin so don’t be surprised. Don’t take to heart other peoples snubs or spiteful words
Pay attention to what God’s word says.
Live Joyfully
Celebration and a festive attitude must be the prominent tone of our lives and pervade every aspect of our lives.
When God gives us gifts to enjoy, it is in fact our duty to enjoy them.
By enjoying God’s good gifts, we humbly receive them as from his hand. Far from displeasing God, our enthusiastic enjoyment honors him as the giver of all good things.
Don’t wait to get your life under control before you celebrate, don’t wait until your troubles go away to enjoy life- enjoy life right through the other side of your troubles.
Family meals and hospitality drape happiness over our home and church.
Fight futility with joy. Even though life’s puzzles could easily sour us toward life, wise people celebrate life as God’s good gift to be enjoyed amd they are alert to ways in which to do that. This does not mean being less serious about the pain but it means being more celebratory about the pleasures god gives to us in life.
Live boldly
Success is not certain but failure is not final.
We don’t know which of our efforts will prosper and which will fail. We don’t know the work of God.
Rather than predict failure before we even try, don’t predict anything at all. We cannot be sure whether this or that venture will fail or if both alike will be good.
We should bravely, exuberantly, freely run into the risks and uncertainties of life instead of shrinking back.
The true response of uncertainty is a redoubling of our effort.
Courageously invest your life resources and someday there will be a return.
Give everything you think you can and then give some more.
Life is a gift so give.
We don’t know what will happen tomorrow or next year so we should give all we can of our time, money, gifts and talents today.
How should you respond to life’s unpredictablity? Give your life away. Rather than holding out for a particular outcome, spend your time and energy on gospel work. Rather than holding onto your resources give away your money and your talents while you can
Fearless generosity!!
Live Fearfully
To keep God in view and to keep his commandments is our whole duty for our whole lives. These two points contain the whole of man- not just his duty only but his whole happiness and business, the total sum of all that concerns him, all that God requires of him, all that the savior enjoins, all that the Holy Spirit teaches and works in Him.
Don’t worry about how things will turn out in the future but think “God has entrusted me with this office with this work and I resolve to faithfully discharge it diligently”
When we question or try to control what’s going to happen next, we will drive ourselves into despair. But if we ask “how can I fear God and obey God right now?” There will always be an answer. There will always be a way forward.
Live this way because of the judgement day that is coming. Everything matters because everything will be judged.
1 Cor. 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
August 3, 2023
Good and practical wisdom from Ecclesiastes. This book is not expositional, rather, Mahaney and Whitacer pick out some key themes from Ecclesiastes. I’ve recently read “Living Life Backwards” and “Remember Death” which each highlight Ecclesiastes, and “True Life” felt very light (while still helpful) in comparison. I’d probably recommend this book to a woman without much time or someone just dipping their toe in Ecclesiastes for the first time. The book has 14 chapters, and each one is fairly short and can be read in 10-15 minutes.
September 3, 2025
I love Ecclesiastes.
But truly, a helpful aid to showing how to have Ecclesiastes inform every day life
But truly, a helpful aid to showing how to have Ecclesiastes inform every day life
January 31, 2023
Ladies of all ages, and I am talking to teenagers and older, this is a must read book for us, focusing on the book of Ecclesiastes. I am passing this onto my teenager daughter after completing this review, as I see it will be also helpful for the stage of life she is in, as much as it is helpful in the stage of life I am in. True Life – Practical Wisdom from the Book of Ecclesiastes by Carolyn Mahaney & Nicole Whitacre (mother-daugher team) was a timely and encouraging read. Last year I read through and studied the book of Ecclesiastes, so this was a perfect follow up and some reminders of what I learned. I also gained some new knowledge and also help to apply it to my life in additional ways; while learning more about God and the book of Ecclesiastes. I really enjoyed their writing style, keeping it simple but deep. Along with sharing some of their personal journey and application in the book.
If you have never read or studied the book of Ecclesiastes this would be a helpful book to read while studying it. As stated in the introduction, “Whatever your age, Ecclesiastes diagnoses life’s ills and shows you how to enjoy life anyway.” At the beginning of each chapter is Scripture from Ecclesiastes to go with the chapter, though I suggest reading the whole chapter section in the Bible to go with it, I prefer expository study, so this worked well with the book. Throughout the chapter are questions to help you go deeper with the Scripture and apply.
I have so many flags and notes from the book, I won’t share them all, but here are a few that really stuck out to me personally.
All the times things did go the way you planned were only your illusion of control. You only thought you were managing things while, like the child int he grocery car, you have no real control over the direction your life takes. Not a pleasant thought at first, but it is reality. Everything is hevel, remember? It’s a breath.
The reason that so many Christians fail to find enjoyment in life is that we still try to achieve more than we have received.
God is in control of everything that people try to control or even appear to control. Whether it is a great war or a personal conflict, an accidental fire or a boss firing, a friend’s care or a stranger’s unkindness, we are not at the mercy of other people’s actions. No matter how much a situation may appear to be from the and of man, there is providence…in that thing. God is behind all of it.
He has made every single thing – every setback, every slanderous tongue, every faithless friend, every grim diagnosis, every mistake, every parenting heartbreak, every financial loss and lack, every injustice, and every bit of bad news – to be exquisitely, breathtakingly beautiful in His time.
There is, in fact, no comfort like knowing that God is in control.
Being realistic about our lives and about the people in our lives is not always easy to do. This is why we need daily doses of realism from Ecclesiastes. We need to read this book regularly to remind ourselves what life and people are truly like and how to truly live. Living with an Ecclesiastes mindset will turn us into truly happy, hopeful realists.
This book would make a great book to read with other ladies in a book study, so I am going to keep this one to do again with some ladies. I see the author’s have another book they previously wrote, so I am definitely going to check it out, as I enjoyed this book so much.
If you have never read or studied the book of Ecclesiastes this would be a helpful book to read while studying it. As stated in the introduction, “Whatever your age, Ecclesiastes diagnoses life’s ills and shows you how to enjoy life anyway.” At the beginning of each chapter is Scripture from Ecclesiastes to go with the chapter, though I suggest reading the whole chapter section in the Bible to go with it, I prefer expository study, so this worked well with the book. Throughout the chapter are questions to help you go deeper with the Scripture and apply.
I have so many flags and notes from the book, I won’t share them all, but here are a few that really stuck out to me personally.
All the times things did go the way you planned were only your illusion of control. You only thought you were managing things while, like the child int he grocery car, you have no real control over the direction your life takes. Not a pleasant thought at first, but it is reality. Everything is hevel, remember? It’s a breath.
The reason that so many Christians fail to find enjoyment in life is that we still try to achieve more than we have received.
God is in control of everything that people try to control or even appear to control. Whether it is a great war or a personal conflict, an accidental fire or a boss firing, a friend’s care or a stranger’s unkindness, we are not at the mercy of other people’s actions. No matter how much a situation may appear to be from the and of man, there is providence…in that thing. God is behind all of it.
He has made every single thing – every setback, every slanderous tongue, every faithless friend, every grim diagnosis, every mistake, every parenting heartbreak, every financial loss and lack, every injustice, and every bit of bad news – to be exquisitely, breathtakingly beautiful in His time.
There is, in fact, no comfort like knowing that God is in control.
Being realistic about our lives and about the people in our lives is not always easy to do. This is why we need daily doses of realism from Ecclesiastes. We need to read this book regularly to remind ourselves what life and people are truly like and how to truly live. Living with an Ecclesiastes mindset will turn us into truly happy, hopeful realists.
This book would make a great book to read with other ladies in a book study, so I am going to keep this one to do again with some ladies. I see the author’s have another book they previously wrote, so I am definitely going to check it out, as I enjoyed this book so much.
September 8, 2023
Seeing this “exposé”, if you will, of one of my favorite books of the Bible immediately piqued my curiosity. The pacing and size of this book feels right for a Bible study/women’s book club, imo. It doesn’t feel too heavy or too brisk. It doesn’t fixate on one topic or another but moves right along. It just didn’t feel like a solitary devotional for me, as marketed. And it didn’t add anything about Ecclesiastes that I didn’t already know. If you’re unfamiliar with the book you might learn a thing or two. Also, I do wish one of the writers were a man as the viewpoint is heavily feminine and therefore loses the opportunity to touch base with the masculine market. Say I wanted to gift this to a male friend or brother… I wouldn’t honestly… because I’d be worried he might find it preachy, not relatable, girly etc.
There are also small spaces to write in at the end of chapters. They felt kind of cramped for me—as you can see I’m a bit of a “wordy writer”—so I didn’t use them. There are also quotes scattered in here and there from other Christian writers/ministers etc. Some well-known others lesser-known. Some I liked, some I didn’t.
I really like the moniker “hopeful realist” which is how I would describe myself. While a lot of the anecdotes didn’t land with me, I liked the comparison of the “bus of life”. We mistakenly thought, as the author says, that we were headed on a garden tour instead of into a war zone. That’s how life is for all of us. Christian or not. Life is hard.
Which leads me to my favorite paragraphs in this book, titled: “Stop making Life so Hard on Yourself”. Which, embarrassingly enough to admit, I do. A lot. I have high expectations for myself which I constantly don’t live up to. But God is in control. He is enough. He loves us as we are. That was a nice reminder….
So what was my least favorite paragraph? The snarky story surrounding Nicole’s eldest(not oldest—poor grammar!!)son Jack who got wing sauce on his graduation gown. I didn’t find the cringe-filled dialogue amusing or appropriate and honestly feel bad for the kid. Yikes! How petty and passive aggressive…. Maybe I’m wrong and it was an attempt to be “relevant” and interject some funny everyday tittle tattle blah blah blah. But at least he graduated! There’s much bigger issues in life and not “all” home schoolers graduate solo. I hate gross generalizations…. I also disliked the comparison of Solomon “prodding” us like a mother does her children. Face it, nagging is not a virtue, ladies.
Overall, obviously, this book didn’t really “click” with me. Yes, I know I’m picky, but it just felt like it was missing something. Maybe it’s because it feels specifically geared towards middle-aged+ married women with multiple homeschooled kids. I’m not saying it’s a terrible book, just not my favorite. I feel like they missed a huge opportunity to connect with more of the female(and male) demographic ie single moms, those who have lost a child or husband, struggled with infertility, or are burnout from their jobs(most of us can’t afford to be SAHMs anymore) etc.
Yeah. It has some good talking points here and there, but if you’re truly interested—go check out Ecclesiastes yourself! It’s a great little book to read and speaks to both men and women equally about very relevant topics.
There are also small spaces to write in at the end of chapters. They felt kind of cramped for me—as you can see I’m a bit of a “wordy writer”—so I didn’t use them. There are also quotes scattered in here and there from other Christian writers/ministers etc. Some well-known others lesser-known. Some I liked, some I didn’t.
I really like the moniker “hopeful realist” which is how I would describe myself. While a lot of the anecdotes didn’t land with me, I liked the comparison of the “bus of life”. We mistakenly thought, as the author says, that we were headed on a garden tour instead of into a war zone. That’s how life is for all of us. Christian or not. Life is hard.
Which leads me to my favorite paragraphs in this book, titled: “Stop making Life so Hard on Yourself”. Which, embarrassingly enough to admit, I do. A lot. I have high expectations for myself which I constantly don’t live up to. But God is in control. He is enough. He loves us as we are. That was a nice reminder….
So what was my least favorite paragraph? The snarky story surrounding Nicole’s eldest(not oldest—poor grammar!!)son Jack who got wing sauce on his graduation gown. I didn’t find the cringe-filled dialogue amusing or appropriate and honestly feel bad for the kid. Yikes! How petty and passive aggressive…. Maybe I’m wrong and it was an attempt to be “relevant” and interject some funny everyday tittle tattle blah blah blah. But at least he graduated! There’s much bigger issues in life and not “all” home schoolers graduate solo. I hate gross generalizations…. I also disliked the comparison of Solomon “prodding” us like a mother does her children. Face it, nagging is not a virtue, ladies.
Overall, obviously, this book didn’t really “click” with me. Yes, I know I’m picky, but it just felt like it was missing something. Maybe it’s because it feels specifically geared towards middle-aged+ married women with multiple homeschooled kids. I’m not saying it’s a terrible book, just not my favorite. I feel like they missed a huge opportunity to connect with more of the female(and male) demographic ie single moms, those who have lost a child or husband, struggled with infertility, or are burnout from their jobs(most of us can’t afford to be SAHMs anymore) etc.
Yeah. It has some good talking points here and there, but if you’re truly interested—go check out Ecclesiastes yourself! It’s a great little book to read and speaks to both men and women equally about very relevant topics.
March 7, 2023
I did not expect to love this book as much as I did - it was so encouraging and challenging! Honestly, perfect for the stage of life I find myself in as a mom of 3 under 4! Everything is vanity (oh I can feel that) yet everything is a gift from God that we can find joy in. We don't need to worry, stress, work our life away - but instead faithfully do the work the Lord has given us each day because that is where joy is found. That is the gift! I underlined too many quotes and I'll have to reread this book again, but it gave me new eyes and fresh perspective on Ecclesiastes and hope for all these mundane motherhood moments. Everyone should read this book - it speaks to all the seasons of life - for there is a season for everything ;)
4.5 stars (but rounded up) only because the formatting of the questions in the chapters was not my favorite. Often they broke up sentences and were not at stopping points so I would have to keep reading (sometimes turning the page) before the paragraph ended and I could go back to the text box. I don't know why they didn't at least wait for the end of the paragraph to add the journaling prompts or best would be putting them at the end of the chapter. I also wish the authors didn't have to talk about themselves in 3rd person. Every time they added a personal story it drew me out of the conversation I felt like I was having with someone since they couldn't use personal pronouns "When my kids were little we did this..." and instead had to say "When Carolyn's kids were little.." but I guess it is what you have to do when you have two authors. But the content is all spot on!
4.5 stars (but rounded up) only because the formatting of the questions in the chapters was not my favorite. Often they broke up sentences and were not at stopping points so I would have to keep reading (sometimes turning the page) before the paragraph ended and I could go back to the text box. I don't know why they didn't at least wait for the end of the paragraph to add the journaling prompts or best would be putting them at the end of the chapter. I also wish the authors didn't have to talk about themselves in 3rd person. Every time they added a personal story it drew me out of the conversation I felt like I was having with someone since they couldn't use personal pronouns "When my kids were little we did this..." and instead had to say "When Carolyn's kids were little.." but I guess it is what you have to do when you have two authors. But the content is all spot on!
November 5, 2023
A book that truly challenges your ideas about Ecclesiastes. I admit this work of Scripture is one I tend to stay away from due to the depressing language. I want to be lifted up and encouraged when spending time in the Word, so why would I read about how “all life is meaningless”?
The authors of this book helped me understand that Solomon was trying to emphasize the reality of the world we live in, and how coming to terms with that reality can lead to us living more righteous, godly lives. Stop working for uncontrollable and unpromised “achievements” and instead enjoy what the Lord has gifted you TODAY—your work, your community, your chores, your rest. All of it is cause to rejoice!
Additionally, recognizing the futility of this life helps us not be surprised when suffering occurs, and not attribute the blessings or struggles we deal with to our work or perception in God’s eyes.
While these were all great truths to learn and be reminded of, the book did seem quite repetitive—and not just in an effort to emphasize. It also was written as an address to Christian mothers and wives, which was not obvious from the cover.
Despite these minor issues, I came away from this book with a greater appreciation for Ecclesiastes and good reminders for right living under God.
Most meaningful takeaway for me:
“A Christian comes to contentment not so much by way of addition as by way of subtraction…not by adding more to his condition; but rather by subtracting from his desires, so as to make his desires and his circumstances even and equal.”
3.5/5 stars, rounded down
The authors of this book helped me understand that Solomon was trying to emphasize the reality of the world we live in, and how coming to terms with that reality can lead to us living more righteous, godly lives. Stop working for uncontrollable and unpromised “achievements” and instead enjoy what the Lord has gifted you TODAY—your work, your community, your chores, your rest. All of it is cause to rejoice!
Additionally, recognizing the futility of this life helps us not be surprised when suffering occurs, and not attribute the blessings or struggles we deal with to our work or perception in God’s eyes.
While these were all great truths to learn and be reminded of, the book did seem quite repetitive—and not just in an effort to emphasize. It also was written as an address to Christian mothers and wives, which was not obvious from the cover.
Despite these minor issues, I came away from this book with a greater appreciation for Ecclesiastes and good reminders for right living under God.
Most meaningful takeaway for me:
“A Christian comes to contentment not so much by way of addition as by way of subtraction…not by adding more to his condition; but rather by subtracting from his desires, so as to make his desires and his circumstances even and equal.”
3.5/5 stars, rounded down
September 20, 2023
I would recommend this book to any woman, young or old, who feels like life has gone sideways. Carolyn and Nicole remind us that the Bible teaches that life didn't "go wrong," it was already crooked. And it is crooked by design, God's good design and purpose, to keep us searching for him. The wisdom and advice in this book is timely for any season of life, whether prospering, suffering, or waiting. I do recommend that the reader fill in the suggested notes as they go through the book. It helped me retain more of what I read and think about how I can apply it to my life.
I will never look at the book of Ecclesiastes the same again! I thought it was a dreary and depressing book before. But really its hope giving and comforting. It reminded me that even though my life looks crooked from my perspective, God is directing the plot, he is writing my story.
I also learned that life is a lot more enjoyable when I view it as "receiving" and not as "achieving" or "getting." It's especially important to remember this when it comes to trying to "get" satisfaction out of the things in our lives, like work or accomplishments. Life is a gift and full of gifts, to be received, recognized and given thanks for to God.
I will never look at the book of Ecclesiastes the same again! I thought it was a dreary and depressing book before. But really its hope giving and comforting. It reminded me that even though my life looks crooked from my perspective, God is directing the plot, he is writing my story.
I also learned that life is a lot more enjoyable when I view it as "receiving" and not as "achieving" or "getting." It's especially important to remember this when it comes to trying to "get" satisfaction out of the things in our lives, like work or accomplishments. Life is a gift and full of gifts, to be received, recognized and given thanks for to God.
August 14, 2025
I loved this book! Reading it chapter by chapter, highlighting, and seeing the stories that connect to what Solomon says to us, really made me connect and understand Ecclesiastes A LOT better. Some parts did have me wondering about where free will comes into play in all of this, like if God is in control of every good and bad thing, how does the devil, our own consequences, and free will come into play. But aside from that, the book was extremely well done, great references, and whenever I was reading something and in my head I had a question like “but why”, they always answered my questions and explained the why behind, for example, fearing God and keeping His commandments. Definitely need another book like this one for different books in the Bible!
May 18, 2023
Perfect conclusion:
“In the end, the message of Ecclesiastes is this: what you do with your vain life under the sun truly matters. It matters because of what God has done. “He has made everything beautiful in its time.… Whatever God does endures forever” (Eccles. 3:11, 14). His works and his judgments are eternal. In Christ, our works too will last forever. Our work done in the fear of God and obedience to his word is not vanity. It is more than a breath. It will remain. It will matter. It will endure."
Fantastic book on Ecclesiastes, even for dudes 😆👌
“In the end, the message of Ecclesiastes is this: what you do with your vain life under the sun truly matters. It matters because of what God has done. “He has made everything beautiful in its time.… Whatever God does endures forever” (Eccles. 3:11, 14). His works and his judgments are eternal. In Christ, our works too will last forever. Our work done in the fear of God and obedience to his word is not vanity. It is more than a breath. It will remain. It will matter. It will endure."
Fantastic book on Ecclesiastes, even for dudes 😆👌
July 11, 2023
honestly, some bits about the hardship and vanity of life were really beating a dead horse, and i almost gave up...but i'm glad i didn't, because the second part was so encouraging ❤️ takeaways are that God is unbelievably good, infinitely wise, and worthy of trust and obedience. there is nothing better in this life than to fear God and enjoy His goodness, so wake up every day ready to take delight in Him!!
July 14, 2023
Best book ever on Ecclesiastes
I have never liked Ecclesiastes, I always thought it was so depressing, and this book started off that way, saying that everything was meaningless, but the book doesn’t leave you that way. It concisely leads you to the true function and purpose of Ecclesiastes, which is to guide how we live our Christian lives under the sun. Very short, but packed full of truth, and easy to read!
I have never liked Ecclesiastes, I always thought it was so depressing, and this book started off that way, saying that everything was meaningless, but the book doesn’t leave you that way. It concisely leads you to the true function and purpose of Ecclesiastes, which is to guide how we live our Christian lives under the sun. Very short, but packed full of truth, and easy to read!
October 7, 2023
Great little intro book to the difficult topics in Ecclesiastes. This would be a good book to read with a group of people to discuss the topics, for a new believer, or for a young adult or teen. It doesn’t go very deep into breaking down the passages and is more heavy on life examples, but there are other books for that out there as well. Overall I’d give a 3.5/5 for me good but not great but would be 4/5 if I had read it 6-8 years ago in my early 20s.
November 5, 2024
SO GOOD!!!! Brock and I finally finished this tonight and honestly the last chapter changed my life I think/hope. This was so good I plan to reread it very soon and try to squeeze out as much as I possibly can. It’s written for women technically, but men can totally read it too and Brock was a huge fan of it if that gives you guys any encouragement to read too.
February 15, 2024
A wonderful, brief but not flippant, guided tour through the message of Ecclesiastes. This book is geared towards equipping and applying truths from God’s Word for women, but is beneficial for all to read. It was a pleasure to read and pray through.
March 26, 2024
Excellent book! It provided much to contemplate. I will be returning to this book to digest more of the wisdom of Ecclesiastes.
May 20, 2024
Changed my life, and a very easy read!
April 30, 2025
I read this with a large Bible Study Group which I loved, the book part was just ok. I learned a lot about Ecclesiastes but the authors personal stories fell flat for me.
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