Personal Blog
Sharing from My Own Experience
I embraced Christianity after growing up in a challenging and troubled upbringing that is now referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the tumultuous period of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I were simply living our lives without realizing that our experiences would later be categorized under a specific term. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow played a significant role in transforming my life.
My life underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in establishing a profound connection with the incomprehensible love that Jesus possesses.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely transformed. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than five decades, guiding me through both the highs and lows, the successes and heartbreaks, and all the positive moments as well. The turning point in my life occurred at the age of eighteen when I first felt the overwhelming love of God, and it forever altered the course of my journey.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is this. This is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter, as I strive to assist others in creating songs that can effectively convey the incredible truth of this concept. Nashville Christian Songwriters, along with all our podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, are dedicated to spreading the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal story?
Perhaps you experienced a sense of God's love when you were young, attending church, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you endured a significant loss that shattered you emotionally. I've had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have gone through immense pain, abuse, or divorce, and they were seeking guidance on how to convey their suffering and the ways in which God helped them endure it. James Finley states that God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously supports us throughout every challenge we face.
However, the question remains: How can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and captivating songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the joys and the challenges that come with it. However, when it comes to expressing these experiences through Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in contemplating how to accurately portray your personal stories in a manner that resonates with listeners, providing them with solace, restoration, and optimism.
Begin by searching for a shared element or theme within your story 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 others can connect with, you can effectively engage them in your song. It is important for us to find elements of our own experiences in your story, allowing us to become emotionally invested and captivated by your music.
If your story doesn't engage us or resonate with something we've personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends and former student at NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the heartbreaking experience of five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry are centered around supporting grieving families, but she also incorporates universal themes in her songs so that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can relate to and remain connected to her music.
Next, focus on depicting the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement I once heard from Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, has stuck with me. 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 may not be helpful or relevant to the listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, dates, names, or other particulars, you may risk losing the audience's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and shared emotion in your story that I can understand, you encourage me to engage with your song. If the specifics of your story don't align with mine, it can discourage me. It may seem challenging, but it is achievable. You can learn how to find the right amount of detail to focus on your emotions during the difficult experience and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that depicts the ways in which God has achieved victory in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates the ways in which God has succeeded in your life.
It is important to keep in mind the unique aspects of your own story that may not be relatable to others. One way to improve your songwriting is by studying examples of songs that convey emotions effectively, instead of simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you're still feeling the emotional and physical effects of a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to compose a genuine song that reflects your true feelings. Expressing your pain too openly in your lyrics may come across as self-centered, unless you're aiming to create a classic country song that evokes sadness and heartbreak. If that's your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but understand that it won't serve as a testimony but rather as a melancholic country tune.
When you prioritize your audience, you'll recognize that they likely have their own problems to handle. If you unload your own issues onto them, they may not stay attentive for long. This is why professionals like therapists and journals exist – to provide a safe space for you to express your pain and struggles. It's important to consider how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you creating for them? How will they feel after listening to 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 writing a song that focuses solely on your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive themes from Scripture that illustrate God's ability to heal and overcome negativity. There are numerous approaches to sharing your personal testimony, so it would be worthwhile to explore alternative methods before delving into the depths of your pain.
To conclude, a testimonial song is a song that showcases how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is important for your emotional well-being to have a cathartic release. It might be beneficial for you to write these types of songs for yourself as well, but it is vital to remember that there is a distinction between the two. Catharsis is a way of purging emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the difficult experiences you have faced and 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 over eight weeks online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals may be seeking 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, we invite you to click on the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will allow us to assess whether our program is the right fit for you. You can schedule your free call by following this link.
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