Solomon, writing from a perspective of having experienced both tremendous success and deep despair, offers profound wisdom in Ecclesiastes 7 about living meaningfully in a confusing world. He identifies three unavoidable realities every person must face.First, we must confront our mortality. Solomon shockingly states that the day of death is better than the day of birth, teaching us that acknowledging our limited time leads to wisdom. Moses prayed, 'Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.' This isn't about becoming morbid but about seeking God's wisdom in whatever season of life we're in. Second, we must respond to our vulnerability. Life is fragile, and we face challenges through both adversity and prosperity. Only God can straighten what He has made crooked, and we must trust Him with the mysteries of our lives. Finally, we must accept our humanity—our inconsistencies and limitations. Solomon concludes that God created mankind upright, but we have gone searching for many schemes. The good news is that while we were searching elsewhere, God came searching for us.The optimistic realism of facing these realities sets our hearts free. By surrendering completely to God, we allow Him to give eternal meaning to all aspects of our lives. We can't go back, only forward—and as we move forward in surrender to God, we find He is faithful and worthy of our trust.