Personal Blog
Expressing from Your Own Life Experience
My journey to becoming a follower of Christ started during a challenging childhood that is now labeled as "dysfunctional." However, back then, it was just the norm in the tumultuous era of the 1960s and '70s. Unaware that there would one day be a specific term for the struggles we faced, Jesus somehow intervened and made a significant impact on my life.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in discovering the incomprehensible love that Jesus has for all.
Image captured by 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 half a century, helping me navigate through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. The turning point of my life occurred when I was eighteen years old and felt the overwhelming love of God for the very first time. This experience has shaped the course of my life indefinitely.
The reason I continue to exist and the motivation behind my actions is the love of Jesus. This love inspires me to be a Christian songwriter and assist others in creating songs that can convey this incredible truth. The primary focus of Nashville Christian Songwriters, including our 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 a church setting, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It's also possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have expressed interest in our coaching programs. Many of them have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce and are seeking to learn how to express their struggles and how God has been their source of strength throughout it all. 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 express 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 and faith through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in considering how to authentically capture your own stories in a manner that will resonate with listeners, offering them solace, restoration, and inspiration.
To begin with, attempt to uncover a shared element within your narrative that resonates with a large number of individuals.
Loneliness and the feeling of being lost are universal experiences that everyone can relate to. To engage listeners, it is crucial to allow them to connect with your story by finding elements they can identify with. By weaving the common thread of shared experiences into your narrative, listeners can imagine themselves in your shoes and become captivated by your story.
If your story fails to capture our attention and evoke memories of our own experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and a close friend of ours, went through the heart-wrenching experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. While her songs and ministry primarily cater to grieving families, she cleverly incorporates enough universal themes in her music that anyone who has experienced any form of loss can relate to and remain engaged with her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the overall feeling or mood rather than getting caught up
I remember hearing Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher, mention this idea and it has stuck with me ever since. At first, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point is to identify a central theme or emotion that will serve as the foundation for your song. The second point is to avoid including unnecessary details in your lyrics that won't benefit your listener. If you delve too much into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other specifics, there is a chance that you might lose the interest of your audience.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If your specific experiences differ from mine, it may deter my interest. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to achieve. You can learn to find the right amount of detail to focus on your emotions during the challenging times and then shift the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that expresses how God has achieved victory in your life.
…a testimonial song is a song that illustrates how God has overcome challenges in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that may not resonate with others. To aid in the process of writing a song, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that evoke certain emotions and observe how the writers engage the listeners without simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still emotionally wounded and in pain from a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to authentically write a song that reflects your true emotions about it. Expressing your anguish through lyrics may sometimes be perceived as self-centered, unless you are composing a country song that embraces sorrow. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it is not a genuine testimony but rather a melancholic country tune.
When you take into consideration your audience's perspective, you may come to realize that they likely have their own struggles to deal with. If you simply unload your own problems onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why professionals like therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for expressing your dysfunction and pain. It's important to think about how your lyrics will impact your listeners. What kind of emotional state are you 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 narrating a song about your personal childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore Scriptural themes that highlight the transformative power of God in overcoming hardships. There are numerous approaches to expressing 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 depicts the way in which God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It might be beneficial for you to write these types of songs for yourself as well, but it is important to understand that there is a distinction between the two. Catharsis is a way of releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced and highlight His ultimate victory in your inner being, regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and takes place online, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek out free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to take your songwriting to the next level and feel a deep calling to establish your ministry, you can use the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call is not obligatory and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program is suitable for you. Don't hesitate to schedule your free call by clicking here.
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