The efficacy of music therapy, in the context of faith-based counseling, is found in its draw from the public who are trying to make sense out of this world, their search for their identity, and the meaning of life. Themes touch every facet of our lives both personally and professionally. They draw out emotive reactions to what are constraining individuals from adopting an attitude of intentional change. If as humans we are all broken at some level, then we are called to open our hearts to embrace healing and whatever change is required to live into our new role in life. Science informs us that specific frequencies are linked to specific have specific effects on the body and mind: 174 Hz relieves pain and stress and 396 Hz liberates the listener from fear and guilt. Using music as a medium allows each to listen to what is embedded in the message.
On a spiritual level, if artists composed their works to serve others, then it is reasonable to believe that the God of creation is speaking to the hearts of songwriters and recording artists whose work stands to impact the lives of others. The beauty of this is that each individual receives whatever significance it is saying to their hearts and their condition. God’s message through lyrics and music is drawing us closer to Him because we were designed for so much more. This creates a pathway thinking that leads to an intangible need to trust that there is a loving God awaiting our response to Him and take a leap of faith to actualize this.
Scripture is often two dimensional. To awaken and attune the heart often requires connecting through another dimension to realize what the words in Scripture represent sufficiently to actualize the love that surrounds us. In the midst of our struggle, during this journey we call life music therapy can stir our hearts to our becoming more of what we were designed to become. If we use music to filter out the noise from this world and focus on what God is trying to say to us something astonishing happens. A transformative heart can open a portal to see our lives differently so that we play an integral part in the lives of others as active agents of change. However, rather than attempting this approach from a horizontal axis, music therapy seeks to connect us through a vertical axis with God, as we petition him to meet us in our human condition where He speak to our hearts. Finally, music therapy can awaken the hearts of those who have turned away from their place of worship, those who have never known what authentic faith offers, and realize that a new attitude can be embraced that is life changing. If you have struggled with discerning what a spiritual life might look like, then this approach offers a unique method that works in tandem with counseling to bring lives a sense of wholeness and purpose once again.
