Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
I discovered my faith in Christ during a challenging upbringing that is often described as "dysfunctional" nowadays. However, during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply navigating through life without realizing that our experiences would be labeled as such. Despite this, Jesus managed to intervene and make a significant impact on my life.
When I received assistance from someone, I went through a significant change as I was able to establish a profound connection with the incomprehensible affection that Jesus possesses.
The photo credit goes to Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the joyful moments. I can attest that the course of my life took a permanent shift when I experienced the love of God for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason I continue to be present and engaged is because of this. It motivates and drives me to pursue my career as a Christian songwriter, with the goal of assisting others in composing songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. It serves as the fundamental principle behind Nashville Christian Songwriters, guiding all our endeavors such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, as we strive to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
Do you have a personal story to share about your relationship with God? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church visits, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. Perhaps you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. We have had numerous Christian songwriters express interest in our coaching programs, many of whom have endured significant hardships such as abuse, divorce, or profound loss. They seek to learn how to convey their pain through music and how God has provided them with strength throughout their struggles. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from difficulties, but rather miraculously supports us through every challenge we face.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences in the form of Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? In this article, I will share three helpful tips that will assist you in effectively capturing your testimonials through music, allowing listeners to connect with and find solace, restoration, and optimism.
Initially, attempt to discover a recurring theme in your narrative that resonates with a wide range of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that are universally understood. To connect with others through your story, it is crucial to make them relate to it. By incorporating elements of our collective experiences, we can create a space for listeners to fill in the gaps with their own narratives, ultimately allowing them to develop a deep connection with your song.
If there is nothing in your narrative that captivates us and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our acquaintances and former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around providing support for grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has suffered any kind of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the emotion rather than getting caught up in the specific
The idea was shared by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, which stuck with me since then. Although it may seem contradictory at first, it is not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that do not contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specifics like location, time, dates, names, or other unnecessary information, there is a chance that the listener might lose interest.
When you are able to identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details in your story do not align with my own experiences, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient details and avoiding overwhelming the listener, while still emphasizing the emotions you felt during the difficult period and shifting the focus towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a musical expression that highlights the ways in which God has brought victory and success into your personal experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own personal experiences that may not resonate with others. To assist in this, it can be beneficial to study examples of songs that align with the type of music you want to create, and observe how the songwriters engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply listing specific details.
Additionally, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still feeling the emotional pain and suffering from a traumatic experience in your life, it can be challenging to authentically express it through a testimonial song. Sharing your pain in your lyrics can sometimes be seen as self-centered, unless you are composing a heartfelt country song that evokes sadness. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it would be considered more of a sorrowful country song rather than a genuine testimony.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and difficulties to handle. If you simply burden them with your own problems, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist; they serve as outlets for expressing your struggles and pain. It's important to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional atmosphere are you creating for them? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" by encapsulating a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song that focuses on your personal childhood story, you might want to explore positive Scriptural themes that showcase God's healing power over any negative experiences. There are numerous approaches to conveying your testimony, so it would be beneficial to explore alternative methods before sharing your pain with others.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that highlights how God has prevailed in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may be beneficial for you to write such songs for yourself as well, but it is important to recognize the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's victory over the hardships you have faced and His ultimate triumph in your inner being, regardless of the path taken to reach that point.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, we explore the depths of testimony songs and various other aspects over the course of eight weeks. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and have a deep desire to establish your ministry, click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call carries no obligations and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program aligns with your needs. Book your free call now.
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