“Do not take to heart all the things that people say, lest you hear your servant cursing you.”(Ecclesiastes 7:21 NIV)

           People say bad things about you.  They trash you and when they do, your feelings get hurt.  This verse warns against listening to what others say about you—eavesdropping or obsessing over what others say about you behind your back and you find out about it—do not take to heart all the things that people say.

           In the book “The Four Agreements” one of the things it tells you, is do not take anything personally.  Which means recognizing that nothing other people do is because of you.  It is entirely a reflection of their own reality, beliefs, and emotional state.  Taking things personally is an expression of “selfishness” because we automatically assume everything revolves around us.  We believe we are responsible for other people’s actions, thoughts, and opinions.  We are not.

           No one can control another person.  The only person you can control is yourself.  And let’s face it, we have a hard enough time doing that.  When you can internalize, when you can understand “do not take anything personally” you begin to comprehend that you are never the cause of someone else’s behavior.

           Here is food for thought.  Instead of living for people’s approval or getting wounded by their mean words/complaints, this verse encourages forgiveness and letting offenses roll off your back.  Do not take it personally, remember it is about them not you.  God Bless.  Amen.

denise