I wrote about reaching my 500th blog post milestone last spring, but reaching 1,000 seemed like ages away … Wow, here we are!

Lately, I’ve been listening my way through my late brother’s cd collection. He was a big heavy metal/alternative music fan, and although it comes as a surprise to many people, I like that kind of music, also. (I am a prude when it comes to some of the lyrics, but I like the music a lot.) I also listen to praise & worship music and enjoy a meaningful ballad as much as the next person, though I lean toward bands like Skillet and Audio Adrenaline. I have eclectic tastes; what can I say? 😉

There’s just something about listening to amazingly skilled drummers and guitarists, and yes, even angry lyrics, that seems to release what might otherwise become pent-up frustration in my own life. If we’re honest (well, I can’t speak for you; I can only speak for myself), there are things we I would like to express sometimes but can’t say aloud, for numerous reasons. For me, metal is an outlet for those sorts of emotions.

I’m not trying to justify explicit lyrics and the negative behavior that is often stereotypical of the rock scene. I’m just saying that the music diffuses the rage that I might feel, for example, during Dallas rush-hour traffic (<<I do not miss that!), or when my boss got fired for no reason, or when someone flooded the bathroom, or when my brother died, or _____ (<<fill in any number of reasons that drive any one of us bonkers).

One line from the cd that I’m listening to now (by now-defunct band Type O Negative) stood out to me: “The only things that last forever are memories and sorrow.” As a believer in Christ, I disagree, but I can see the musician’s perspective. If all you know of life is in the here & now, when dark times come (and they will), then you can lose hope. I don’t know how I would have made it through the past few years without my faith. Yes, I have bad days. I just admitted that I listen to heavy metal to channel my rage!

The thing is, though, when the song is over, the rage is gone. The nagging feeling in my flesh-self that says to lose hope is pushed aside. I think there’s a reason why the Bible says that we have to pick up our cross and follow Christ daily. It’s an arduous journey–full of challenges, but we can find joy along the way.

Thank you for walking this journey with me.