I was stumbling down the road of life

With the weight of the world on my back

I was anxious about tomorrow

I was so afraid of the past

What would ever become of me?

What would the future hold?

All this useless worry inside of me

Was taking a heavy toll

I was dragging a bag called “yesterday”

Filled with anger, guilt and remorse

I was stuck in a world of what-used-to-be

It was pulling my soul off course

Then a preacher-man reached out and told me

“There’s a better place for you and me

Put your trust in God, be forgiven now

His mercy will set you free

‘Cause it is what it is

Not what you would dream it to be

The past is the past, let it all go

And set yourself free

Each day is a gift, tomorrow remains a mystery

Let go and let God, His grace is enough

Just let it all be!

Don’t be anxious about tomorrow

Don’t let sin keep you trapped in the past

Seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness

Seek the heavenly gifts that last ...

‘Cause it is what it is ...

Let it be, let it be, let it be, just let it be

Let go and let God, His grace is enough

Just let it all be!

Some songs may not seem divinely inspired, but they are. This is one of those songs.

A great mentor of mine often used the phrase “It is what it is” to help put things into perspective. In our minds, we can often make situations to be more than they really are.   

We can over-analyze, worry to excess, or try to make things bigger than, scarier, harder, or more mysterious than they are. Or ... we can look at things as facts and data, strip them of emotion and “deal with them” as they truly are. To be able to accept things as they truly are is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves. It is a gift from God.

We don’t control others’ lives. We are only responsible for our own. We can’t change the past, but we can learn from it. We shouldn’t hold on to past hurts or wrongs. Jesus gave us our freedom through his death and resurrection. He gave us a model to follow (a way to live our lives) and a means for letting go of the past (the sacrament of Reconciliation).

The 12-Step Programs have a great saying, “Let go, and let God” to help us remember that we aren’t expected to control everything in our life. We aren’t expected to be perfect. But we are expected to trust in God. His grace truly is enough.

Read Matthew, Chapter 6, for a great model about worry, anxiousness and their antidote ... trust in God.

Be at peace and know that you are loved!

It Is What It Is

Words and Music by Dan Donnelly

Copyright © Daniel R Donnelly.

All Rights Reserved.