Preaching and Teaching Laments in the Old Testament

Walter Kaiser in answering the question, "Why Study and Preach from Laments?" states:

God has placed personal and national laments in Scripture, it would appear, as a corrective against euphoric, celebratory notions of faith, which romantically portray life as consisting only of sweetness and light. Such a one-sided, happiness-only view fails to deal with the realities of life. It drives the hurtful and painful side of life into the corners of faith and practice leaving few guides or comforts from mortals of the Word of God.

Walter C. Kaiser Jr. Preaching and Teaching from the Old Testament: A Guide for the Church (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003), 125.