Personal Testimony in Blog Writing
My journey to finding Christ began in a difficult childhood, which is often referred to as "dysfunctional" by society. However, during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and '70s, my family and I were simply living through what we considered to be normal. We had no idea that our experiences would later be categorized with a specific term. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow played a significant role in transforming my life.
My life underwent a profound change when someone assisted me in discovering the ineffable affection that Jesus possesses for humanity.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a split second, my entire life was completely transformed. This enduring love I have experienced has been my source of strength for more than five decades, helping me navigate through both the highs and lows, the successes and heartbreaks, as well as the joyful moments. I can attest that the course of my life took a permanent turn when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and the motivation behind my actions is deeply rooted in something significant. This is why I have chosen to pursue a career as a Christian songwriter, aiming to assist others in creating songs that can effectively convey the profound truth of this extraordinary existence. The fundamental principle that drives Nashville Christian Songwriters and all our various platforms, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, is to spread the message of Jesus' love to every individual on Earth.
What is your personal experience with God? Perhaps you experienced God's love when you were younger while attending church, or maybe you turned to Him later in life to overcome addiction. It's possible that you were deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have faced great pain, abuse, or divorce have expressed interest in our coaching programs. They wish to learn how to convey their suffering and how God helped them endure it. According to James Finley, God doesn't shield us from hardships, but rather miraculously supports us through them.
However, what is the method for expressing our personal experiences and stories through exceptional musical compositions? How can we effectively convey our testimonies through powerful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian songs, how can we effectively capture our testimonies? I have three tips that may assist you in considering how to portray your experiences in a way that resonates with listeners, bringing them comfort, healing, and hope.
To begin with, attempt to identify a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are emotions that everyone is familiar with at some point in their lives. By sharing relatable experiences, you can make others feel connected to your story and encourage them to engage with your music. It is important for people to find elements of their own experiences within your narrative, as this allows them to connect on a deeper level and develop a fondness for your work.
If the content of your story does not capture our attention and evoke memories of our personal experiences, we will lose interest. Becky Norquist, a former student of NCS and our friend, went through the difficult journey of experiencing five miscarriages and one stillbirth. While her music and ministry primarily cater to grieving families, she also includes broader themes in her songs that resonate with anyone who has faced loss in any form – which includes all of us. As a result, her songs provide something relatable for everyone and keep us engaged.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
I still remember when Dave Clark (a well-known songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music) mentioned the following statement, which stuck with me. At first glance, it may seem contradictory, but it's not. The initial point emphasizes the importance of identifying a central theme or emotion to base your song on. On the other hand, this second point advises against including unnecessary details in your song that may not be helpful to your listeners. If you delve too much into specifics like locations, time, dates, names, or other intricate details, there is a possibility that your audience might lose interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, it allows me to connect with your song. If the specific details you provide do not align with my own experiences, it may not appeal to me. Despite seeming challenging, it is possible to achieve this balance. You can learn to include just the right amount of detail to focus on your emotions 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 song that illustrates how God has achieved victory in your life.
It is important to consider the unique aspects of your own story that may not be relatable to others. One way to improve your songwriting is to study and learn from songs that successfully evoke emotions in listeners, rather than simply listing specific details.
Thirdly, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
When you are still emotionally affected by a traumatic experience, it can be challenging to write a genuine song that reflects your feelings about it. Expressing your pain too intensely in your lyrics may seem self-centered, unless you are composing a typical country song where you pour your heart out. If that is your intention, then go ahead and do it, but be aware that it is not a testimony but rather a sorrowful country song.
When considering your audience, it's important to recognize that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to deal with. If you unload your own pain onto them without considering their own, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – they serve as outlets for your personal dysfunction and hurts. It's crucial to think about the impact your lyrics will have on 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 crafting a song solely focused on your childhood experiences, it might be more beneficial to explore positive biblical themes that showcase God's ability to heal and overcome any negativity. There are countless ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be wise to consider alternative approaches before delving into your pain-filled narrative.
In summary, a testimonial song is one that highlights how God has overcome challenges in your life. Expressing emotions and finding release is crucial for your emotional well-being. It might be beneficial to write such songs for yourself as well, but it's important to recognize the distinction between cathartic songs and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the hardships you have faced, ultimately leading to victory in your soul regardless of the path taken.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, we provide an eight-week online coaching and mentoring experience where we delve into testimonial songs and various other topics. While many individuals may be interested in free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and have a strong desire to develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to schedule a free phone call. This call is not obligatory and will help determine if our program aligns with your needs and goals. Take advantage of this opportunity and schedule your free call now.
Spread the word about this article to your friends. If you have any thoughts or comments, feel free to leave them below. Also, remember to save your name, email, and website in this browser for future comments.
Set the attribute value of the element with the ID "ak_js_1" to the current timestamp.
Sectioned
Track us
Explore additional articles
Groups
Keywords
Trending articles:
Commence
Trending audio broadcasts
Characteristics
Regarding
YOUR TRAININGs
Register now for our complimentary Professional Songwriters Top 10 Tip Sheet.