It Is What It Is

Is it?  It’s a phrase I’ve heard many times and it often bugs me for whatever reason.   

When I look up the phrase on the internet it has been a film title, album title, song title, news reports, radio shows, TV shows, and you hear it in the coffee room, office, etc.   

It loosely means “deal with it” or speaks of frustration over situations that cannot be changed and you must just accept.    

I remember a plaque my grandma had on the wall called “Serenity”. It said, “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”    

Sometimes that is the case.   

But, is it always what it is?   

Or sometimes is it what it is because that’s the way we have let it be?   

Or sometimes is it what we have created it to be?   

One of the fruits of the spirit in Galatians is self-control.  Often we would rather focus on the control of everyone else instead of being in control of our own emotions, thoughts, actions, etc.    

In the Gospel of John chapter 14 from the Amplified Bible (which basically adds more descriptive words)… it says, “Do not let your heart be troubled (afraid, cowardly). Believe [confidently] in God and trust in Him, [have faith, hold on to it, rely on it, keep going and] believe also in Me.” 

“Let” is defined as to prevent or forbid or to allow.  I do not let my kids play in the busy street but, I let my kids play in the backyard while I’m watching.  

Life often starts with your surroundings which leads to thoughts – emotions – actions – habits – character – destiny.    

The bible teaches that we are not defined by all those things but rather God defines who we are and the Gospel of John challenges us to LET NOT our hearts be troubled, rather trust in God.   

When the phone rings, or the boss asks to meet with you, when a break up occurs or failure happens what is your first thought?  It will be bad news, I’m getting fired, I’ll never date again, my life is over.   

For all of us it can be a challenge to “not let our hearts be troubled”.  2 Corinthians 10:5 speaks of “taking our thoughts captive”. 

It is what it is?  What is it then?   

The writer of Philippians challenges us by saying, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”   

Let’s start with those as the building blocks of what it is!  

Blessings and Wisdom

Glenn