Lent is for us to take stock of our sins and to redeem ourselves.
What these take are humility to admit having sinned and to reform ourselves. But then again, as one spiritual guru said, the preoccupation with being a sinner is wrong. When you are always saying that you are a sinner, you are actually brainwashing yourself to become a sinner. It would be developing the idea of becoming a sinner or perpetuating it.
So what to do? A person should be telling himself that he is the son of God. “I am the son of God” or “I am the daughter of God.” That way, you will automatically be telling yourself that you should behave as the child of God.
What does redemption or reformation take? Hardship or difficulties. If you have done anybody some injustice by mistake or intentionally then you will have to suffer for it. It is a natural process. Hardship can also be a test to find out if you are indeed determined to do better. And in the practical world, difficulties strengthen the mind to be able to withstand temptations so you could maintain a straight path.
Getting through these means being victorious in going through life. It is going through the rigors required by personal development and spiritual progress.
Thus, we should withstand tests and difficulties in life and in our faith which is the essence of lent, culminating is Easter Sunday, the symbol of having understood and withstood the ultimate tests on our faith.**