08/28/2023
By Pastor Vinnie Cappetta
"10,000 Reasons for My Heart to Sing: Turning Back Pain into Blessings"
I wanted to share a bit about my recent journey – it's been quite a ride. You know those times when life throws you a curveball? Well, I tried playing basketball like I was back in my twenties and ended up with a banged-up back. Yeah, not my finest moment. This past month has been a whirlwind of physical, emotional, and even spiritual struggles.
But here's the crazy thing I've realized: God has this incredible way of taking every part of our lives, even the tough stuff, and turning it into something good – like a gift you never saw coming.
Let me walk you through some moments that left me in awe:
- Tunes of Gratitude: Even on the toughest days, there was this song in my heart which kept me going when things got rough.
- Family Heroes: I can't thank my family enough. We traveled to a family reunion and they carried all my luggage and their own without complaining. Their love was God's care in action.
- Sky-High Triumph: Who knew I'd survive four plane rides with siactic pain shooting down my entire leg? But somehow, I did it with way less pain than I expected. God had my back (pun intended).
- Acts of Kindness: My family practically turned into superheroes, helping me out when I couldn't manage. It felt like God's way of showing that we're never alone in our struggles.
- Feeling Their Pain: Going through my own emotional pain made me connect with my counseling clients on a deeper level. Suddenly, I understood them like never before.
- Handing Over the Hurt: I learned how powerful it is to give my pain to God. He's the ultimate healer for both body and soul.
- Embracing the Moment: Life's short, and I got a crash course in making the most of every second and finding joy in the simplest things.
- Gospel Connection: God taught me that the good news of the gospel isn't just for the spiritual stuff – it's for physical pain too. I learned to rest in Him.
- Walking Tall: The day I could walk without pain, I felt like I won the lottery. It's amazing how we take little things like walking for granted.
As Pastor Joe shared this past Sunday, we have 10,000 reasons to bless the Lord. Psalm 103: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” That’s exactly what I needed to hear.
Application Questions:
- Do you truly believe God can take life's messiest parts and turn them into something beautiful?
- How does the passage of time affect your ability to see God's hand at work in past challenges? Does distance from the "bad" event make it easier to recognize God's conversion of it into something beneficial?
- Let's talk about prayer and diving into scripture. Do these practices change how you see the past? Can you feel God's love more when you reflect with Him in these ways?
Remember, even in the toughest spots, God's got a plan for your good and His glory. As we continue on this journey, let's hold onto the truth that God is in the business of transforming struggles into blessings for His own name’s sake.
