There was a long season in my life where trials continued to come my way over and over. They came in my marriage, ministry, with my children, in relationships and personally through health issues. I began to settle into a mindset that things will never change,“it is what it is”. I cried out to Jesus so many times to remove these trials, even to give me a reprieve from them. I slowly became numb to life and even despondent to Him and the people I was in relationship with. My attitude and mindset became fixed on the fact that life would never change, “it is what it is”. How many times have you said “It is what it is”? It is surprising how many times I hear people daily say that phrase. Brian and I were in a session with our marriage coaches and JeannaLynn made that statement. Her husband replied, “Jesus never said that!”. It is so true! Let’s look at Matthew 8:1-3 “When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” Jesus didn’t look at the leper and say “it is what it is” as He shrugged his shoulders and went on. The same is true with so many other stories recorded. For instance the woman caught in adultery, Jairus’ daughter or even Peter’s mother in law. That isn’t recorded anywhere!! Why? Because it is not Kingdom! I still catch myself all the time saying whether aloud or in my head “it is what it is” or “I’m gonna have to deal with it because it is what it is.” One morning recently I was having a real struggle with feeling unprotected and not safe. A dear friend of mine asked me if I was okay. He even sincerely offered to pray for me, but I refused. I said, “No, I am not ok. I will be fine though. I always am. It is what it is!” I walked out of that room and said aloud to myself, “Crap! It is NOT it is what it is!” How many times does the Kingdom of God try to interrupt your unkingdom mindsets like this one and show you Jesus has made a way where there seems to be no way? The next time you are tempted to say “it is what it is” be reminded that Jesus never said that about any situation.
Written by Gretchen Cannon