Personal Blog: Sharing from My Own Life Experience
During my childhood, which is now referred to as "dysfunctional," I found solace in Christ despite the challenges I faced. Growing up in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and '70s, my family and I were unaware that our experiences would be classified under a specific term. However, Jesus found a way to intervene and make a significant impact on my life.
My life underwent a profound change when a person assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the incomprehensible love that Jesus possesses, an experience I couldn't put into words.
The photo credit for the image is given to Laura
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. Throughout all the highs and lows, the successes and failures, and even the pleasant moments, this very love has been my source of strength for more than five decades. I can confidently declare that the course of my life was permanently altered when I experienced the love of God for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and my chosen profession lies in this. It is the driving force behind me being a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist you in creating songs that can beautifully articulate this awe-inspiring truth. The fundamental principle of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all 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 story of faith? Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood in church, or you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you have faced a significant loss that left you broken. Many Christian songwriters who have endured great pain, abuse, or divorce have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They want to learn how to convey their pain and how God supported them through it. According to James Finley, God does not shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously provides us with the strength to endure them.
However, is there a way for us to express our personal experiences and stories through exceptional musical compositions? How can we effectively convey our testimonies through remarkable songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories and experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively do so? I have three suggestions that may assist you in considering the most impactful ways to convey your testimonies in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared theme or experience in your story that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common experiences that most people can relate to. When sharing your story, it is important to create a sense of connection so that others can see themselves in your song. By incorporating elements of our own experiences, we are able to fully immerse ourselves and develop an emotional attachment to your story.
If there is nothing in your story that captures our attention and resonates with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends and a former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the heart-wrenching experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry primarily cater to grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes into her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can connect and continue to engage with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement that stuck with me was from Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music. It may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion to base your song on. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your song that don't add value to the listener's experience. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, time, dates, names, or other irrelevant information, you might end up losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can understand, it allows me to connect with your song. If your specifics differ from mine, it might discourage me. It may seem challenging, but it is achievable. You can learn to find the right amount of detail to focus on your emotions during the difficult experience, and then redirect it towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a type of song that expresses and highlights the ways in which God has brought victory and success into your life.
It is important to recognize the specific details in your story that are unique to you and may not resonate with others. To enhance your songwriting, it can be beneficial to look for examples of songs that evoke emotions and observe how the songwriters engage listeners rather than simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally and physically affected by a traumatic experience in your life, it can be challenging to authentically express it in a testimonial song. Often, pouring out your pain through lyrics may be seen as self-centered, unless you are creating a classic country song that captures heartbreak and sorrow. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it is not the same as sharing a personal testimony. It would be more accurately described as a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and struggles to face. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to provide a safe outlet for your dysfunction and wounds. It's crucial to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners and what kind of emotional space you're inviting them into. How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have successfully created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message rooted in Scripture. Instead of focusing on writing a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be worth exploring more positive Scriptural themes that showcase God's ability to heal and overcome negativity. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be beneficial to consider other avenues before delving into personal pain in your music.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may be beneficial for you to write these songs for your own personal healing, but it's important to remember that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the difficult experiences you have faced, highlighting His ultimate victory in your soul regardless of the path you took to reach it.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which takes place online over eight weeks, we explore testimony songs and other valuable topics. While many individuals seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to take your songwriting skills to the next level and have a deep desire to establish a powerful ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call without any obligation. This call will help determine if our program is suitable for your needs. You can schedule your free call by following this link.
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