Bright Side Broken

MercyMe's “Bright Side Broken” takes on the cliché of looking on the bright side. The song says that line is easier said than done, and the singer admits he does not want to hear that what he is going through is just a season, or that his glass should be half full “when it's in a million pieces.”

Instead the chorus offers another view of brokenness: “The bright side of being broken is a heart that's busted open. With every break the light will chase the darkness away.” The second half of the chorus moves the focus from the pieces to the one who holds them. The bright side is in the hands holding every piece, which is a reminder that it's going to be okay. Even in the darkest times, there is always hope. The bridge states the point most plainly: what we see as a broken mess, Jesus sees as a chance to be made whole. The mid-tempo arrangement is gentle and conversational, and the lyric does not rush anyone out of pain. It is a good fit for someone who is tired of easy answers and wants an honest one, and it keeps the comfort tied to Christ instead of to a change in mood.

Healing the brokenhearted is Psalm 147:3. Treasure in jars of clay is 2 Corinthians 4:7, and God being near the brokenhearted is Psalm 34:18.