Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey towards Christ began during a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" in today's terminology. However, during the 1960's and '70s, it was simply the norm for us. Little did we know that our experiences would eventually be categorized under a specific label, but it was through the intervention of Jesus that my life took a different direction.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the indescribable love that Jesus embodies.
The photo credit for this image goes to Laura E
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. Throughout the course of more than half a century, this very love has been my source of strength, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and all the other positive experiences as well. The essence of my personal account is that the direction of my life was permanently altered when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and motivation lies in this. It is what drives me to pursue my career as a Christian songwriter and assist others in crafting songs that can effectively convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that underpins Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our platforms, including podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal experience with faith?
It could be that you experienced God's love while attending church as a child, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you went through a devastating loss that left you broken. In my conversations with Christian songwriters interested in our coaching programs, I've encountered many individuals who have endured significant pain, abuse, or divorce and who wished to learn how to express their suffering and how God helped them endure. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from difficulties, but rather provides us with miraculous strength to get through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through impactful and memorable songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to translating our personal experiences into powerful Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in articulating your personal stories in a manner that resonates with listeners and offers them solace, restoration, and optimism.
Initially, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that numerous individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are experiences that are familiar to everyone. To engage people with your story, it is important to create a connection and enable them to relate to it. By incorporating elements of our own experiences, we can better connect with and appreciate your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends and a 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 supporting grieving families, but she also includes enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has experienced any kind of loss – which is all of us – can find something relatable and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I was introduced to the idea by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher, that finding a central theme or emotion to base your song on is crucial. This may seem contradictory to the first point, but it's actually not. The first point emphasizes the importance of having a common thread in your song, while the second point advises against including irrelevant details that may confuse or disengage your listeners. It's important to avoid getting overly specific with things like locations, dates, names, or other unnecessary details, as it can potentially alienate your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, it encourages me to engage with your song. If the specific details of your story don't align with my own experiences, it may deter me from connecting with it. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details, focusing on your emotions during the difficult situation, and then shifting towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a type of song that demonstrates how God has achieved victory in your personal life.
It is important to recognize the unique details in your story that may not resonate with others. To help with this, you can find examples of songs that are similar to the one you want to write and observe how the writers engage listeners with emotions rather than simply listing details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you're still emotionally wounded and experiencing pain from a traumatic event, it can be challenging to write a genuine song that reflects your experience. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics may seem self-absorbed, unless you're aiming to create a heartfelt country song that evokes sorrow. If that's your intention, feel free to pursue it, but be aware that it won't be a testimonial but rather a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely already have their own struggles to handle. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal issues and pain. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will affect your listeners. What kind of emotional space 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 energetic worship song "My Testimony" by conveying a message rooted in Scripture that many can relate to. Instead of focusing on writing a song solely about your own childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to explore positive themes from the Bible that showcase how God's healing power overcomes any negative circumstances. There are countless ways to express your personal testimony, so it may be worth considering alternative approaches before delving into your painful experiences.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that demonstrates how God has succeeded in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may also be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself, but it's important to note that there is a distinction between the two types. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the adversities you have faced and His ultimate victory in your spirit, regardless of the path taken to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into testimony songs and various other aspects. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call will help determine if our program is suitable for you, and there is no obligation to commit. Click here to schedule your free call.
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