Why don’t Christians sing the blues?

There are times in every Christians’ life when sadness and grief strike. For some it comes for a season, brought about by tragedy or loss. For others sorrow is almost an integral part of daily life. So here’s my question. Why is it that our hymnody often doesn’t reflect the way that many of us feel?

It hasn’t always been like this. More than a third of the Psalms are laments. Take Psalm 88 for example:

I am overwhelmed with troubles
and my life draws near to death.
I am counted among those wh...