Personal Blog
Sharing from My Own Life Experience
I found my way to Christianity after growing up in a troubled childhood that is now commonly referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the chaotic era of the 1960s and 1970s, my family and I didn't realize that our experiences had a specific label. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow entered my life and made a significant impact.
My life underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in establishing a deep bond with the incomprehensible affection of Jesus.
The photo credit for this image goes to Laura E
In a sudden moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. Throughout the course of more than five decades, this same love has provided me with strength and support, helping me navigate through both the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, as well as the positive experiences. My personal experience proves that the direction of my life was permanently altered when I experienced God's love for the very first time at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my existence and the motivation behind my work is what keeps me going. It is what drives me to be a Christian songwriter and to assist others in creating songs that can truly capture and convey this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms, such as 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 the love of God during your childhood church experiences, or maybe you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. It could also be possible that you went through a heartbreaking loss that left you shattered. I have had conversations with numerous Christian songwriters who have endured significant pain, abuse, or divorce, and they have expressed their desire to learn how to convey their suffering and how God has provided them with strength throughout it all. As James Finley puts it, "God doesn't shield us from any pain or hardship, but He miraculously sustains us through everything."
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both positive and negative moments. However, when it comes to expressing our personal experiences through Christian music, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? I have three suggestions that may assist you in contemplating how to effectively portray your testimonials in a manner that resonates with listeners and provides them with comfort, healing, and hope.
Begin by searching for a shared theme or element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common emotions that everyone can relate to. To engage listeners, it is important to make them feel connected to your story. By incorporating elements of their own experiences, they can easily connect with your song. Allowing space for their own narratives to fill in the gaps will help them develop an emotional attachment to your music.
In order for us to stay engaged, it is important for the content of your story to resonate with us and bring up experiences that we can relate to. For example, Becky Norquist, a friend of ours who attended NCS, has personally gone through the difficult experience of going through five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Through her music and ministry, she primarily focuses on providing support for grieving families. However, she also incorporates broader themes into her songs, allowing anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – to connect with her music and continue to be interested in it.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I remember hearing Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music, say this statement and it has stuck with me ever since. It may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The initial point is to discover 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. If you delve too much into specific locations, timeframes, dates, names, or other particulars, you run the risk of losing their interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that I can connect with, it allows me to become engaged with your song. If the specific details in your story do not align with my own experiences, it may discourage me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details to focus on your emotions during the difficult situation, and then shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a song of testimony is one that depicts the victorious presence of God in your life.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that others may not relate to. To assist in the process of writing a song, it can be helpful to study examples of songs that evoke certain emotions and observe how the songwriters engage the audience without simply listing specific details.
Next, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you have experienced a painful event in your life and are still feeling the emotional effects, it can be difficult to create a genuine testimonial song about it. Expressing your pain too strongly in your lyrics can be seen as self-centered, unless you are specifically aiming to create a sad country song that evokes a sense of vulnerability. If that is your intention, go ahead and pursue it, but be aware that it may not be viewed as a true testimony, but rather as a melancholic country song.
When considering your audience, it is important to acknowledge that they likely have their own personal struggles to cope with. It is not advisable to burden them with your own problems, as they may not be willing to listen for a long time. This is why professionals such as therapists and personal journals exist. They are there to provide an outlet for your difficulties and emotional pain. It is crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional state are you inviting them into? How will they feel after listening to your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an impressive job with their uplifting worship song "My Testimony" by conveying a universally relatable message based on Scripture. Instead of creating a song that focuses on your personal childhood story, it might be more effective to explore positive Scriptural themes that highlight God's healing power over any negative experiences. 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 one that reflects how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is crucial for your emotional well-being to have a cathartic release. It might be beneficial for you to write these songs for yourself as well, but it is important to remember that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials highlight God's triumph over the difficulties you have faced and His ultimate victory in your soul, regardless of the path taken to get there.
In our eight-week online coaching and mentoring program called NCS Pro Song Mastery, we delve into the art of writing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals seek free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are truly committed to advancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep calling to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call is not binding, but it will help determine if our program is suitable for you. You can schedule your free call by clicking here.
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