It Is What It Is?? - Ecclesiastes 1:9

That which has been is what will be,
That which is done is what will be done,
And there is nothing new under the sun.
- Ecclesiastes 1:9

    One of the most constant quips we hear in nearly any set of circumstances sets the tone of this post: It is what it is. Is that really the attitude people take away from life experiences? It is what it is? What a fatalistic and dark view of the world and our experiences in it. Do we not understand that if we place our trust in God we never need accept the satanic notion that “nothing can be done about it?” God is always working behind the scenes and He will complete His work through us. “ . . .  being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ . . .” - Philippians 1:6.
    Can we all not see that everything that happens is part of a greater picture? Is it truly that hard to see that everything that takes place is like a series of small cogs working within a greater pattern? We don’t (can’t) necessarily see the connections but believe me - everything is connected to God’s greater plan for His universe. Do things always work out in our best interest? The answer to that depends upon whether your definition of best interest is defined and confined by our limited humanistic view of life or seen by God’s eternal, unsearchable, and elusive holy standard.
    We are so used to seeking accountability in life-happenings that whenever something tragic or seemingly unfair takes place we immediately want a an account of who, what, when, where, and how. We want answers . . . and we want them now. And when we are unable to get those answers there is always one wry individual who is quick to quip: “It is what it is.”
    Perhaps we’re simply not looking in the right place for the answers we seek. And in the broadest sense, perhaps we’re simply not entitled to some answers, regardless of how determined we are to solve the issue. This again falls under the purview of God’s unrevealed or “sovereign will.” Be that as it may, whether our circumstances are tragic or blessed we must always and everywhere give praise to our holy God. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” - James 5:13.
    We all to often simply dismiss many of the events and circumstances of our lives with a flippancy that amounts to irreverence. For the unbeliever this is to be expected but for the true believer this attitude reflects our lack of faith, our lack of trust. When we display an attitude of “it is what it is” we are saying that even God doesn’t seem to be able to influence what is taking place around us or in our lives. We are saying that neither prayer nor praise will impact the outcome of these circumstances when, in fact- we have no idea what kind of blessings God has in store for us until He actually bestows them upon us. Yet we doubt. Is that what we are called to do? “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” - Colossians 3:17.
    Let us never forget that all our circumstances and all our experiences, both the great and the tragic, are all part of God’s ordained will for us. He alone knows the outcome of our blessings and our reversals - “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” - Matthew 6: 9-10. No, something which affect our lives, either positively or negatively, is NOT “what it is.” What it is . . . is God’s will. We do have an option - unconditional faith in God! And we need to keep that in the foreground of our lives - praise and prayer should be in our hearts both in times of peace and times of pain.