Personal Blog
Sharing from My Own Life Experience
I found my way to Christianity after growing up in a challenging and unstable environment that is now referred to as "dysfunctional." However, during the tumultuous years of the 1960s and '70s, my family and I were just living our lives without realizing the significance of our struggles. Nevertheless, Jesus somehow stepped into my life and made a difference.
My life underwent a profound change when I received assistance in establishing a connection with the indescribable affection that Jesus has for everyone.
The photograph was taken by Laura E. Partain
In a single moment, my entire life was completely disrupted. This love that I experienced has been my source of strength and support for more than half a century, guiding me through various challenges, successes, and heartaches, as well as the joys. I firmly believe that my life took a completely different path when I first experienced the love of God at the age of eighteen.
I am still here because of this reason. This reason is what drives me to do what I do. It is the motivation behind my work as a Christian songwriter, as I strive to assist others in writing songs that can articulate this incredible truth. The love of Jesus for every individual on Earth is at the heart of Nashville Christian Songwriters and all of our resources, such as podcasts, videos, blogs, and coaching programs, are created to spread this love.
What is your personal story of faith? It could be that you experienced God's love during your childhood church experiences or that you turned to Him as an adult to overcome addiction. Perhaps a significant loss broke you, leading you to seek solace in God. Many Christian songwriters I've spoken to, who are interested in our coaching programs, have endured immense pain, abuse, or divorce. They are eager to learn how to express their suffering through their music and how God has provided them with strength throughout their journey. James Finley, in his wisdom, reminds us that while God may not spare us from hardships, He miraculously sustains us through everything we face.
However, the question remains: how can we effectively express our personal experiences and stories through powerful and impactful songs?
As we journey through life, we experience both the highs and lows. But when it comes to expressing our personal stories in Christian songs, how can we effectively convey our testimonies? Here are three suggestions that aim to guide you in capturing your experiences in a way that resonates with listeners, providing them with comfort, healing, and hope.
To start, attempt to discover a shared element in your narrative that many individuals can relate to.
Loneliness and feeling lost are common experiences that people can relate to. By sharing a story that others can identify with, you create a connection and invite them into your song. It is important for us to find elements of our own experiences in your story, allowing us to connect and become emotionally invested in it.
If there is nothing in your narrative that captures our attention and resonates with our own experiences, we will lose interest. One of our friends and a former student of NCS, Becky Norquist, went through the difficult experience of enduring five miscarriages and one stillbirth. Her music and ministry primarily cater to grieving families, but she also incorporates enough universal themes in her songs that anyone who has suffered any form of loss – which includes all of us – can find something relatable and stay engaged with her music.
Next, focus on capturing the feeling or mood rather than the specific aspects or
The statement was originally made by Dave Clark, a well-known songwriter and publisher from Lillenas Music. It stuck with me because it may seem contradictory at first, but it's not. The first 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 contribute to the listener's understanding. If you delve too deeply into specific locations, times, dates, names, or other particulars, you might end up losing the listener's interest.
When you identify the shared theme and emotion in your story that resonates with me, you allow me to become engaged in your narrative. If the specific details in your story do not align with my own experiences, it may distance me. Although it may seem challenging, it is possible to strike a balance between providing sufficient or excessive details, focusing on your personal emotions during the difficult time, and ultimately shifting the narrative towards the redemptive aspect of God's intervention in your life.
… a testimonial song is a song that showcases the victories and successes that God has brought into your life. It serves as a testimony to the ways in which God has positively impacted and prevailed in your personal experiences.
It is important to recognize the unique aspects of your own story that we may not be able to relate to. To help with this, you can look for examples of songs that are similar to the one you want to write and observe how the writers engage listeners in emotions rather than 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 create an authentic song that truly reflects your ordeal. Expressing your raw emotions through lyrics may be perceived as self-centered, unless you are composing a country song that captures the essence of heartache. 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 ballad.
When considering your audience, it's important to acknowledge that they likely have their own struggles and challenges to deal with. If you simply unload your own pain onto them, they may not be willing to listen for very long. This is why therapists and journals exist – to provide a dedicated space for you to express your dysfunction and emotional wounds. It's 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 succeeded in creating an uplifting praise song called "My Testimony" that effectively conveys a broad message based on Scripture. Instead of crafting a song that focuses solely on your childhood experiences, it might be worth exploring positive biblical themes that highlight God's ability to bring healing and redemption in the face of negativity. There are numerous approaches to sharing your testimony, so it would be beneficial to consider a few different avenues before delving into the depths of your pain.
In summary, a testimonial song is a song that demonstrates how God has overcome challenges in your life. It is essential for your emotional well-being to experience catharsis. While it may be beneficial to write these songs for yourself, it is important to understand that there is a distinction between catharsis and testimonial songs. Catharsis involves releasing emotions, while testimonials celebrate God's triumph over the hardships 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 lasts for eight weeks and is conducted 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 truly dedicated to enhancing your songwriting skills and feel a deep calling to develop your ministry, you can click on the provided link to arrange a free consultation call. This call does not require any commitment on your part and serves as an opportunity to determine if our program aligns with your needs. To schedule your free consultation call, please click here.
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