I'm Only Happy When It Rains (Until I'm Not)

There was this song in the 90s by the band Garbage entitled "Only Happy When It Rains," and the lyrics went like this: 

I'm only happy when it rains
I'm only happy when it's complicated
And though I know you can't appreciate it
I'm only happy when it rains
You know I love it when the news is bad
Oh why it feels so good to feel so sad
I'm only happy when it rains. 

It's the kind of song that can get in your head, but the lyrics are problematic.  I don't consider myself a glass-half-empty person, but sometimes I dwell on the negative, and let the darkness in.  

And when the darkness gets too much of a toe-hold, I want it to be gone quickly.  So, I'll try to distract myself to take away the pain and discomfort the darkness brings.  I feel like there are a lot of us out there who struggle with this.  

It's yet another reason to embrace the lessons we can learn through Lent.  

During Lent, we are offered a profound opportunity for reflection and renewal. In an age where our culture often defines success in largely superficial ways, we find ourselves bombarded by standards that distract us from our true purpose. 

Alicia Britt Chole captures this essence beautifully: 

“Lent is a much-needed mentor in an age obsessed with visible, measurable, manageable, and tweetable increase, for it invites us to walk with Jesus and His disciples through darker seasons that we would rather avoid: grief, conflict, misunderstanding, betrayal, restriction, rejection, and pain. Then Easter leads us in celebration of salvation as the stunningly satisfying fruit of Jesus’ sacred decrease.” 

I love how these words invite us to step away from the frenetic pace of life and reflect deeply on the journey of Christ. 

Unlike the success metrics of the world around us, Lent teaches us that strength can be found in vulnerability. Our culture often encourages us to bypass challenges, to seek comfort, and to achieve results quickly. 

Yet, Jesus’ path was one of sacrifice, humility, and surrender. In Hebrews 12:1-2, we are reminded to 

“...throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” 

During this Lenten season, we are called to embrace the hard things—grief, conflict, and pain—as necessary parts of our spiritual growth. These moments are not obstacles to avoid but are integral to our transformation. 

By confronting these challenging experiences, we uncover deeper truths about ourselves and our relationship with God. We learn that true success is not measured by external gain but by the depth of our faith and the richness of our spiritual journey. 

As we journey through this Lenten season, let us remember that the road to Easter is paved with the lessons learned from our struggles. 

Each step into the darkness prepares us for the light of resurrection. Instead of retreating from discomfort, let us embrace it, trusting that in our weakness, His grace is made perfect. 

May this Lent be a time of liberation from the expectations of the world and a journey toward a deeper, more authentic faith. Grasp hold of the hard things and let them lead you closer to the heart of God.

And may the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with us all, now and forever.  Amen.