Personal Blog: Sharing from My Own Experience
My journey towards finding faith in Christ began during a challenging childhood that is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society today. However, back then, it was just the norm during the tumultuous era of the 1960s and '70s. We were unaware that our experiences would be labeled with a specific term in the future, but somehow Jesus stepped into my life and made a significant impact.
My life underwent a significant change when an individual assisted me in establishing a deep connection with the incomprehensible affection that Jesus embodies.
The photo was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. The love that I experienced has been a source of strength and support for me for more than five decades, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and even the positive moments. I can confidently say that my life took a completely different path when I first felt the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason that keeps me going and motivates me to do what I do is the same reason I am a Christian songwriter. My goal is to assist you in creating songs that can beautifully convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle behind Nashville Christian Songwriters is to spread the love of Jesus to every individual on Earth, which is the driving force behind all our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs.
Do you have a personal story to share?
Perhaps you experienced God's love during your childhood church days, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that a significant loss in your life left you feeling broken. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have shown interest in our coaching programs. They seek to learn how to articulate their struggles and the ways in which God has provided them with strength and support. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously helps us endure 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 expressing these experiences in Christian songs, how can we effectively capture our testimonies? In this regard, I have three suggestions that I believe will assist you in reflecting on how to convey your personal stories in a way that resonates with listeners and brings them comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and feeling lost are familiar emotions that everyone can relate to at times. By creating a story that people can connect with, you are more likely to engage them in your song. It's important for listeners to find elements of their own experiences in your story, allowing them to connect and resonate with your music.
If there isn't anything in your narrative that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a friend and former student at NCS, went through the painful experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. While her music and ministry primarily address the struggles of grieving families, she also includes broader themes in her songs that allow anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – to relate and remain engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement about finding a common theme for your song and avoiding unnecessary details was initially mentioned by the well-known songwriter and publisher, Dave Clark from Lillenas Music. Although it may seem contradictory at first, the idea is to focus on a specific emotion or theme while writing your song. On the other hand, it is important to refrain from including excessive and unhelpful information such as specific locations, dates, names, and other unnecessary details that could potentially confuse or disengage the listener.
When you discover the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, you welcome me into your narrative. If the specific details of your experience do not align with mine, it may deter me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail to focus on your feelings during the difficult period and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a musical composition that highlights the ways in which God has achieved victory in your personal life.
It is important to understand that there may be certain details in your story that are unique to you and others may not be able to relate to them. To overcome this, it can be beneficial to look for examples of the type of song you want to write and observe how the songwriters effectively engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply describing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally affected and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be difficult to write an authentic song that reflects your true feelings about it. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics may come across as self-centered, unless you are aiming to create a heartfelt country song that evokes sadness. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it. However, it is important to recognize that such a song would not be considered a genuine testimony, but rather a melancholic country tune.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own challenges and concerns to contend with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not stay engaged for long. This is why professionals like therapists and journals exist – they provide an outlet for your personal struggles and emotional 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 successfully created an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a message based on Scripture. Instead of writing a song solely about your childhood experiences, it might be worth exploring positive themes from the Bible that showcase how God's healing power can overcome all negative aspects of life. There are numerous ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be beneficial to consider other approaches before sharing your pain with others.
In conclusion, a testimonial song is a song that reflects how God has prevailed in your life. Venting your emotions through catharsis is crucial for your overall emotional well-being. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonials. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the challenges you have faced and highlight His ultimate victory in your soul, 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 explore the depths of testimony songs and various other topics. While many individuals are simply searching for free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly dedicated to advancing your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call with us. This call does not come with any obligations and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program aligns with your needs. Book your free call now.
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