Personal Blog: Sharing from My Own Experience
My journey towards finding faith in Christ began in a challenging and troubled childhood, which is now often referred to as "dysfunctional." However, back then, it was simply the norm during the tumultuous time of the 1960s and '70s. Unaware that our experiences would be labeled as such, Jesus miraculously entered my life and made a profound impact.
My life underwent a significant change when someone assisted me in experiencing the profound love of Jesus, a love that is difficult to put into words, for the very first time.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life took a drastic turn. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength for more than half a century, guiding me through the highs and lows, the successes and sorrows, and all the positive moments as well. I can confidently say that my life's course was permanently altered when I first experienced the overwhelming love of God at the age of eighteen.
The reason for my presence and my purpose is this. It is the driving force behind my career as a Christian songwriter and my desire to assist you in creating songs that can capture the essence of this incredible truth. The fundamental principle that guides Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our various platforms, including 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? It could be that you experienced God's love when you were young in church, or perhaps you turned to Him later in life to overcome addiction. It could also be that you have been deeply hurt by a significant loss. Many Christian songwriters who have faced immense pain, abuse, or divorce have reached out to us for our coaching programs. They are eager to learn how to express their struggles and how God has supported them through those difficult times. James Finley suggests that while God does not shield us from hardships, He miraculously strengthens and sustains us through them.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively convey our personal experiences and stories in the form of impactful and powerful songs?
Throughout our lives, we experience both the highs and lows. However, when it comes to expressing our personal stories through Christian music, it can be a challenge. In order to effectively capture our testimonies in songs that resonate with listeners and provide solace, healing, and inspiration, I have three helpful tips to share.
To begin with, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that numerous individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are universal emotions that everyone can relate to. By sharing your own experiences, you can make others feel connected and engaged with your story. It is important for listeners to find aspects of their own lives in your narrative, allowing them to emotionally invest and appreciate your song.
If your story fails to capture our attention and resonate with something we have personally experienced, we will lose interest. One of our friends and former student at NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the heartache of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. While her songs and ministry primarily center around supporting grieving families, she also incorporates enough universal themes in her music that anyone who has experienced any form of loss – which includes all of us – can connect with and remain engaged in her songs.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than getting caught up in
The statement was originally made by Dave Clark, a highly productive songwriter and publisher at Lillenas Music, and it has stuck with me ever since. 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 refrain from including unnecessary details in your song that do not contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too much into specifics such as location, time, dates, names, or other details, you may end up losing the listener's interest.
To engage me in your story, it is important to identify the shared theme and emotion that I can connect with. If the specific details of your story do not align with my own experiences, it can make it difficult for me to relate. However, despite this challenge, it is possible to strike the right balance of providing sufficient but not overwhelming detail in order to focus on your emotions during the difficult times and ultimately highlight the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates the triumph of God in your personal experiences.
It is important to understand that there may be certain details in your story that are unique to you and cannot be easily relatable to others. To overcome this, it can be helpful to look for examples of songs that are similar to what you want to write and observe how the songwriters engage listeners by evoking emotions rather than simply listing specific details.
Additionally, it is important to understand the distinction between catharsis and testimonial.
If you are still feeling the emotional pain and suffering from a traumatic experience in your life, it can be difficult to authentically express your feelings through a song. Sharing your raw emotions in your lyrics might be seen as self-centered, unless you are specifically writing a country song that aims to evoke sadness and vulnerability. If that is your intention, then go ahead and pursue it, but keep in mind that it is not a genuine testimonial but rather a melancholic country song.
By considering your audience first, you may come to the realization that they likely have their own share of struggles to handle. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for long. This is why professionals like therapists and journals exist – to provide a safe outlet for you to express your dysfunction and hurts. It is important to think about the impact your lyrics will have on your listeners. What kind of emotional space are you inviting them into? How will they feel after hearing your song?
In my opinion, Brandon Lake and the Elevation Worship team have done an excellent job with their uplifting worship song called "My Testimony" by conveying a universal message rooted in Scripture. Instead of writing a song that exclusively focuses on your childhood experiences, it might be beneficial to explore positive themes from the Bible that highlight God's healing power in overcoming any negative aspects. There are countless ways to express your personal testimony, so it would be worthwhile to consider some alternative approaches before delving into your pain in great detail.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that expresses how God has succeeded in your life. It is essential for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. It may 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, ultimately leading to victory in your soul.
In our NCS Pro Song Mastery program, which lasts for eight weeks and is conducted online, we delve into the art of composing testimony songs and much more. While many individuals may only be interested in obtaining free Christian songwriting courses and webinars, if you are eager to enhance your songwriting skills and feel a deep desire to develop your ministry, you can use the provided link to arrange a free phone call. This call will allow you to determine if our program is suitable for you, and there is no obligation to commit. Click here to schedule your free call.
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