1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:15,520 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:17,520 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 2: Hey friend, have you ever brushed aside your own health 3 00:00:22,120 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 2: because it just didn't seem as important as everything else 4 00:00:26,239 --> 00:00:30,120 Speaker 2: you have to do? What if making room for healing 5 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:35,720 Speaker 2: isn't about doing more for others, but letting go of 6 00:00:35,800 --> 00:00:41,080 Speaker 2: what's keeping you from receiving God's best. Today, we're talking 7 00:00:41,120 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 2: about why making room for healing sometimes begins with giving 8 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:50,880 Speaker 2: yourself permission to make your health a priority. We will 9 00:00:50,960 --> 00:00:57,400 Speaker 2: explore the surprising science behind why our environment shapes our 10 00:00:57,440 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 2: wellness and one simple soul practice that can help you 11 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:06,679 Speaker 2: create space for what matters most well. 12 00:01:06,720 --> 00:01:07,000 Speaker 1: Friend. 13 00:01:07,080 --> 00:01:11,600 Speaker 2: Welcome to Breathe the stress Less Podcast. I'm your host, 14 00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:16,560 Speaker 2: Bonnie Gray. I'm a sole care mentor best selling author 15 00:01:17,080 --> 00:01:22,280 Speaker 2: of Breathe twenty one days to Stressless and Transform Chaos 16 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:25,880 Speaker 2: to Calm, and I'm the founder of Soul Care School. 17 00:01:26,720 --> 00:01:31,200 Speaker 2: I'm so excited you're here for Week five of our 18 00:01:31,319 --> 00:01:36,440 Speaker 2: summer Soul Glow Up series. This is your space to 19 00:01:36,560 --> 00:01:41,640 Speaker 2: refresh your spirit, rediscover your joy, and feel radiant again 20 00:01:41,720 --> 00:01:46,400 Speaker 2: from the inside out. We're gonna do science as well 21 00:01:46,440 --> 00:01:50,960 Speaker 2: as scripture for soul care. Now, before we dive in, 22 00:01:51,040 --> 00:01:53,800 Speaker 2: I just wanted to share this beautiful review from a 23 00:01:53,880 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 2: listener that really encouraged me. This is from Sarah. Bonnie's 24 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:03,559 Speaker 2: voice brings peace and joy to my heart. Each episode 25 00:02:03,920 --> 00:02:09,360 Speaker 2: is like a mini retreat with Jesus. Thank you so much, Sarah. 26 00:02:09,560 --> 00:02:12,919 Speaker 2: It means so much to hear how these moments are 27 00:02:13,080 --> 00:02:17,919 Speaker 2: blessing you. Now. Today's episode is about something simple yet 28 00:02:18,080 --> 00:02:24,080 Speaker 2: life changing, making room for healing. We're going to explore 29 00:02:24,120 --> 00:02:27,320 Speaker 2: why creating space in our lives, whether it's in our 30 00:02:27,400 --> 00:02:31,560 Speaker 2: calendar and even in our hearts, can help us experience 31 00:02:32,000 --> 00:02:38,160 Speaker 2: God's peace and move forward in healing. Sometimes we don't 32 00:02:38,240 --> 00:02:42,079 Speaker 2: need to do more to feel better. We simply need 33 00:02:42,160 --> 00:02:46,880 Speaker 2: to let go of what's keeping us from receiving God's best. 34 00:02:47,720 --> 00:02:49,960 Speaker 2: But what if the very thing you're holding on to 35 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:55,960 Speaker 2: isn't obvious. Today I'll share the unexpected moment God used 36 00:02:56,360 --> 00:03:00,000 Speaker 2: to completely change my priorities and how it can help 37 00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:04,919 Speaker 2: help you make room for healing in your own life now. 38 00:03:05,040 --> 00:03:08,560 Speaker 2: Today's episode is brought to you by my book Whispers 39 00:03:08,560 --> 00:03:13,080 Speaker 2: of Rest. If you've been longing to slow down, experience 40 00:03:13,120 --> 00:03:16,239 Speaker 2: God's peace and care for your soul in the middle 41 00:03:16,360 --> 00:03:21,120 Speaker 2: of life's unexpected seasons, I think this book will encourage 42 00:03:21,120 --> 00:03:23,640 Speaker 2: your heart I'm going to leave a link in today's 43 00:03:23,639 --> 00:03:26,639 Speaker 2: show notes, and I hope that you can bring this 44 00:03:26,680 --> 00:03:30,440 Speaker 2: book on your journey of soul. Care has both science 45 00:03:30,639 --> 00:03:47,840 Speaker 2: and scripture, and we'll be right back. Let's begin with 46 00:03:47,960 --> 00:03:52,480 Speaker 2: the moment to center our hearts in God's loving presence. 47 00:03:53,320 --> 00:03:57,680 Speaker 2: Our scripture today comes to us from Lamentations, Chapter three, 48 00:03:58,200 --> 00:04:03,280 Speaker 2: Verses twenty two to twenty three. The steadfast love of 49 00:04:03,360 --> 00:04:09,360 Speaker 2: the Lord never ceases. His mercies never come to an end. 50 00:04:10,240 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 2: They are new every morning. Let's turn this promise into 51 00:04:16,600 --> 00:04:23,760 Speaker 2: our breath prayer. Just relax your shoulders, your hands in Helle. 52 00:04:23,920 --> 00:04:32,760 Speaker 2: The steadfast love of the Lord exhale never ceases again 53 00:04:33,000 --> 00:04:40,560 Speaker 2: in Helle, his mercies never come to an end. Exhale, 54 00:04:40,800 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 2: They are new every morning. Just let these words quietly 55 00:04:47,480 --> 00:04:52,640 Speaker 2: soothe your heart. Now, did you know that your environment 56 00:04:53,160 --> 00:04:58,840 Speaker 2: doesn't just shape your habits? It also shapes your priorities. 57 00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:06,279 Speaker 2: Behavioral scientists have found that our surroundings, including our calendars, routines, 58 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:11,760 Speaker 2: and commitments, act as cues that influence what our brains 59 00:05:12,040 --> 00:05:16,160 Speaker 2: pay attention to and what we consistently choose to do. 60 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:21,080 Speaker 2: James Clear He's the author of a book called Atomic Habits. 61 00:05:21,720 --> 00:05:25,840 Speaker 2: He tells us through studies that our behaviors are often 62 00:05:25,920 --> 00:05:33,160 Speaker 2: the product of our environment, not simply our motivation. Research 63 00:05:33,200 --> 00:05:38,280 Speaker 2: have also found that when we're juggling too many competing priorities, 64 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:43,800 Speaker 2: we experience decision fatigue. I'm raising my hands right. When 65 00:05:43,800 --> 00:05:46,719 Speaker 2: we have too many different priorities we're trying to juggle, 66 00:05:47,120 --> 00:05:51,720 Speaker 2: it makes it harder to consistently choose the habits that 67 00:05:51,800 --> 00:05:57,200 Speaker 2: support our health and well being. This is why soul 68 00:05:57,279 --> 00:06:02,919 Speaker 2: care sometimes begins by making room. When you intentionally create 69 00:06:03,000 --> 00:06:08,320 Speaker 2: space in your schedule for what matters most your wellness, 70 00:06:08,920 --> 00:06:13,400 Speaker 2: you help your brain and your soul and body move 71 00:06:13,480 --> 00:06:18,720 Speaker 2: toward healing instead of simply reacting to everything life throws 72 00:06:18,760 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 2: at you. 73 00:06:20,520 --> 00:06:20,680 Speaker 3: Well. 74 00:06:20,680 --> 00:06:22,960 Speaker 2: I have a personal story to share. I have a 75 00:06:23,000 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 2: plot twist in fact that's happened for the past three months. 76 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:33,039 Speaker 2: My ankle stress fracture wasn't healing well enough, so both 77 00:06:33,120 --> 00:06:39,280 Speaker 2: my orthopedic surgeon and a second orthopedic specialist recommended surgery. 78 00:06:40,040 --> 00:06:43,440 Speaker 2: Since I didn't know what recovery after surgery might look like, 79 00:06:43,560 --> 00:06:46,719 Speaker 2: I decided I needed to get my annual wellness exam done. 80 00:06:47,560 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 2: During that appointment, my family doctor suggests it something I 81 00:06:52,480 --> 00:06:56,440 Speaker 2: hadn't even thought of. He said, I'd like you to 82 00:06:56,480 --> 00:07:01,720 Speaker 2: begin physical therapy before surgery. Doctor explained that because I'd 83 00:07:01,760 --> 00:07:04,760 Speaker 2: been off my foot for so long, my muscles were 84 00:07:04,800 --> 00:07:09,680 Speaker 2: beginning to atrophy, and strengthening my leg could help me 85 00:07:09,760 --> 00:07:13,840 Speaker 2: recover much more quickly after the surgery. Now there was 86 00:07:13,880 --> 00:07:17,280 Speaker 2: one problem. Our family had been planning a trip to 87 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:22,360 Speaker 2: Hawaii like for a year to celebrate my youngest son, Caleb, 88 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:26,400 Speaker 2: his high school graduation before he would step into his 89 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:31,000 Speaker 2: next season of life. So starting physical therapy for me 90 00:07:31,680 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 2: it would mean canceling that trip, and honestly, I didn't 91 00:07:35,720 --> 00:07:39,680 Speaker 2: want to. I thought, I'm probably gonna have surgery anyway, 92 00:07:39,920 --> 00:07:44,080 Speaker 2: so why not enjoy one last family vacation. I could 93 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:46,840 Speaker 2: just sit on the beach while everybody else had fun. 94 00:07:47,720 --> 00:07:51,240 Speaker 2: The truth is I didn't want to disappoint my family. 95 00:07:52,480 --> 00:07:56,320 Speaker 2: Then my doctor looked at me and said something I'll 96 00:07:56,360 --> 00:08:01,280 Speaker 2: never forget, Bonnie. As you're a doctor, my priority is 97 00:08:01,480 --> 00:08:05,960 Speaker 2: your health. I want to see you walking again. Encourage 98 00:08:06,000 --> 00:08:09,960 Speaker 2: me to cancel those plans so that I can get pt. 99 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:16,240 Speaker 2: And those words just changed my perspective. My priority is 100 00:08:16,280 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 2: your health. I want to see you walking again. I 101 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:23,760 Speaker 2: wonder if somebody listening right now needs to hear these 102 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:31,760 Speaker 2: same words. Friend, your health matters too. Give yourself permission 103 00:08:31,800 --> 00:08:36,320 Speaker 2: to make your health a priority. It made me stop 104 00:08:36,559 --> 00:08:43,160 Speaker 2: and ask myself, why wasn't my health my priority. If 105 00:08:43,200 --> 00:08:45,600 Speaker 2: one of my sons had been in my position, I 106 00:08:45,640 --> 00:08:50,199 Speaker 2: would have definitely told them immediately, do the physical therapy. 107 00:08:50,720 --> 00:08:55,199 Speaker 2: Give your body every opportunity to heal. So why was 108 00:08:55,240 --> 00:08:59,959 Speaker 2: it so easy for me to put my own health second? 109 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:04,040 Speaker 2: As I drove home, I kept hearing those words on 110 00:09:04,120 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 2: my heart, I want to see you walking again, And 111 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 2: I suddenly realized that was God's heart for me too. 112 00:09:13,559 --> 00:09:17,840 Speaker 2: God wants me walking again. So when I got home 113 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:20,480 Speaker 2: and I told Eric and the boys we might need 114 00:09:20,480 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 2: to cancel Hawaii, I braced myself for disappointment. Instead, without 115 00:09:27,400 --> 00:09:31,640 Speaker 2: missing me, every one of them said, Mom, that's okay. 116 00:09:32,240 --> 00:09:37,280 Speaker 2: We want to do whatever will help you heal. That evening, 117 00:09:37,440 --> 00:09:39,880 Speaker 2: I asked my family to lay hands on me and 118 00:09:39,920 --> 00:09:43,960 Speaker 2: to pray for healing, and I also sent out a 119 00:09:44,160 --> 00:09:47,440 Speaker 2: text for my Bible study group to pray. And so 120 00:09:47,520 --> 00:09:53,400 Speaker 2: I faithfully went to physical therapy and something amazing happened. 121 00:09:54,120 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 2: Week by week, my pain started decreasing and I started 122 00:09:59,280 --> 00:10:03,680 Speaker 2: to steaming being able to stand without pain and then 123 00:10:03,760 --> 00:10:09,200 Speaker 2: walking a few steps. My surgeon saw enough improvement that 124 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:15,800 Speaker 2: we postpone surgery, and so today I am now continuing 125 00:10:15,840 --> 00:10:21,120 Speaker 2: to heal and do PT The surgery was canceled. Looking 126 00:10:21,160 --> 00:10:24,840 Speaker 2: back now, I realized something. Before God could bring in 127 00:10:24,920 --> 00:10:29,280 Speaker 2: something new, I had to let go of my old plans. 128 00:10:30,200 --> 00:10:34,119 Speaker 2: I had to make room not so much in my closet, 129 00:10:34,280 --> 00:10:38,760 Speaker 2: not my desk, but in my calendar and in my heart. 130 00:10:39,120 --> 00:10:43,200 Speaker 2: Sometimes making room for joy means letting go of the 131 00:10:43,240 --> 00:10:47,480 Speaker 2: plans we were holding on so tightly so we can 132 00:10:47,559 --> 00:10:52,800 Speaker 2: receive something even better. So let me ask you, friend, 133 00:10:53,520 --> 00:10:57,320 Speaker 2: as I shared this story, is there something good you've 134 00:10:57,320 --> 00:11:00,760 Speaker 2: been holding on to that's making it harder for you 135 00:11:00,880 --> 00:11:05,800 Speaker 2: to say yes to God's better plan and priority for 136 00:11:06,040 --> 00:11:11,120 Speaker 2: your health? What might God be inviting you to let 137 00:11:11,200 --> 00:11:15,839 Speaker 2: go of in this season so you can make room 138 00:11:16,320 --> 00:11:21,600 Speaker 2: for healing? And what is one step you can take 139 00:11:21,640 --> 00:11:27,760 Speaker 2: this week to make your health a priority? Friend? Hebrews 140 00:11:27,800 --> 00:11:32,559 Speaker 2: twelve to one encourages us. It says, let us throw 141 00:11:32,640 --> 00:11:38,840 Speaker 2: off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, 142 00:11:39,520 --> 00:11:43,680 Speaker 2: and let us run with perseverance the race marked out 143 00:11:43,760 --> 00:11:47,920 Speaker 2: for us. And this principle of throwing off what hinders 144 00:11:48,040 --> 00:11:51,440 Speaker 2: us to move forward with where Jesus wants us to go. 145 00:11:52,080 --> 00:11:57,239 Speaker 2: It's not just about sin. It can be an old mindset. 146 00:11:57,960 --> 00:12:00,760 Speaker 2: It can be an expectation that you've been caring that 147 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:03,960 Speaker 2: God wants you to put down. And sometimes it's a 148 00:12:03,960 --> 00:12:07,040 Speaker 2: good plan that you've had, but now God is saying, 149 00:12:07,120 --> 00:12:11,800 Speaker 2: here's a better plan for you to help put your 150 00:12:11,840 --> 00:12:16,840 Speaker 2: health in priority. And maybe it's a commitment that's no 151 00:12:16,960 --> 00:12:22,480 Speaker 2: longer right for the season you're in. Now, let this 152 00:12:22,960 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 2: be your loving permission today. It's okay to let go. 153 00:12:28,120 --> 00:12:33,040 Speaker 2: It's okay to change your plans. It's okay to make 154 00:12:33,080 --> 00:12:37,600 Speaker 2: your health a priority, and it's okay to make room 155 00:12:37,720 --> 00:12:42,880 Speaker 2: for what matters most, your wellness, your peace, and joy, 156 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 2: because every no creates space for God's better Yes and 157 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:53,160 Speaker 2: when we return. I'm going to share one simple sole 158 00:12:53,240 --> 00:13:08,920 Speaker 2: care practice to help you start making healing your priority. 159 00:13:09,920 --> 00:13:13,960 Speaker 2: Well friend, our soul care practice this week is what 160 00:13:14,040 --> 00:13:17,880 Speaker 2: I'd like you to do for your soul glow. Challenge 161 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:24,520 Speaker 2: is simple. Open your calendar, then prayerfully ask yourself, what 162 00:13:24,720 --> 00:13:27,719 Speaker 2: is one thing I need to remove so I can 163 00:13:27,760 --> 00:13:32,120 Speaker 2: make room for what God's inviting me into. Maybe it's 164 00:13:32,160 --> 00:13:38,160 Speaker 2: an unnecessary commitment and obligation, you've outgrown, something you've been 165 00:13:38,160 --> 00:13:41,600 Speaker 2: doing out of guilt, or simply a good plan, but 166 00:13:42,480 --> 00:13:48,400 Speaker 2: it's not prioritizing your health. Here's a science insight. Behavioral 167 00:13:48,440 --> 00:13:55,240 Speaker 2: researchers have found that our environment shapes our behavior, our wellness, 168 00:13:55,280 --> 00:13:58,320 Speaker 2: and your calendar is one of the most powerful environments 169 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:03,239 Speaker 2: that you live in that affect you. Every appointment becomes 170 00:14:03,320 --> 00:14:08,960 Speaker 2: a queue that reminds your brain of what's important. Now 171 00:14:08,960 --> 00:14:12,840 Speaker 2: here's your challenge. Remove one thing that no longer serves 172 00:14:12,920 --> 00:14:19,080 Speaker 2: this season. Then add one thing that prioritizes your health. 173 00:14:19,280 --> 00:14:23,400 Speaker 2: What is that one thing. Maybe it's scheduling a walk, 174 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:29,000 Speaker 2: Maybe it's booking a physical therapy appointment or a doctor's appointment. 175 00:14:30,000 --> 00:14:35,760 Speaker 2: Is it a meal, prepping healthier lunch or dinner, protecting 176 00:14:35,800 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 2: in earlier bedtime, spending ten quiet minutes with Jesus in 177 00:14:41,520 --> 00:14:45,720 Speaker 2: your favorite way, or calling a friend who encourages. 178 00:14:45,240 --> 00:14:46,160 Speaker 1: You and meeting up. 179 00:14:46,280 --> 00:14:51,080 Speaker 2: What is that one thing that would help your wellness 180 00:14:51,120 --> 00:14:56,920 Speaker 2: and prioritize your health. Small choices become powerful cues. Every 181 00:14:56,920 --> 00:14:59,560 Speaker 2: time you look at your calendar this week, you'll see 182 00:14:59,600 --> 00:15:04,840 Speaker 2: a vis reminder that your health and your soul matters. 183 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,720 Speaker 2: Sometimes the best way to make room for God's new 184 00:15:08,760 --> 00:15:13,520 Speaker 2: work isn't adding more, it's removing one thing so you 185 00:15:13,600 --> 00:15:19,480 Speaker 2: can intentionally say yes to something that helps you heal. Well, 186 00:15:19,520 --> 00:15:24,600 Speaker 2: let's pray together, Jesus, thank you for making space for 187 00:15:24,760 --> 00:15:25,200 Speaker 2: me to. 188 00:15:25,320 --> 00:15:27,080 Speaker 1: Grow and glow. 189 00:15:27,960 --> 00:15:31,880 Speaker 2: Help me release what no longer belongs in this season. 190 00:15:32,920 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 2: Give me courage to make room for what brings healing, 191 00:15:37,080 --> 00:15:41,840 Speaker 2: peace and life. Make room in my heart, my mind, 192 00:15:42,480 --> 00:15:46,000 Speaker 2: and my home for your peace and joy. 193 00:15:46,920 --> 00:15:47,440 Speaker 1: Amen. 194 00:15:48,680 --> 00:15:53,080 Speaker 2: Well, friend, if today's episode encouraged you, would you take 195 00:15:53,120 --> 00:15:56,160 Speaker 2: a moment to leave a rating and a review your 196 00:15:56,240 --> 00:16:00,320 Speaker 2: whereas help other women discover this little corner of the 197 00:16:00,360 --> 00:16:04,640 Speaker 2: Internet where we can slow down together and experience God's 198 00:16:04,680 --> 00:16:09,280 Speaker 2: wellness and remember that we are beloved. And of course 199 00:16:09,320 --> 00:16:12,280 Speaker 2: it encourages me every time I read these reviews and 200 00:16:12,400 --> 00:16:15,840 Speaker 2: come on over to Instagram to say hello, I'm at 201 00:16:15,960 --> 00:16:19,240 Speaker 2: the Bonnie Gray. I'd love to hear how your soul 202 00:16:19,280 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 2: care journey's going. And if you want to go deeper 203 00:16:22,520 --> 00:16:25,720 Speaker 2: into today's message about making room for healing, I really 204 00:16:25,760 --> 00:16:31,400 Speaker 2: think you'll enjoy Whispers of Rest. It's a beautiful book 205 00:16:31,440 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 2: filled with forty days worth of soul care, science and 206 00:16:35,760 --> 00:16:40,840 Speaker 2: scripture to help you create those peaceful rhythms in everyday life. Again, 207 00:16:40,880 --> 00:16:44,160 Speaker 2: I'll leave a Lincoln Today's show notes until next time. 208 00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:49,440 Speaker 2: Remember your health matters, your joy matters, because you're a 209 00:16:49,520 --> 00:16:53,600 Speaker 2: glow matters, and this is the summer you're gonna let 210 00:16:53,680 --> 00:16:58,360 Speaker 2: joy in. Remember you're loved and cherished. Just rest and 211 00:16:58,400 --> 00:16:59,520 Speaker 2: I'll see you next time. 212 00:17:04,520 --> 00:17:07,880 Speaker 3: Breathe The stress Less podcast is a production of Life 213 00:17:07,920 --> 00:17:11,080 Speaker 3: Audio and Sale Media. If you like what you heard today, 214 00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,040 Speaker 3: please take a second to rate and review this podcast 215 00:17:14,160 --> 00:17:17,199 Speaker 3: in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like 216 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 3: you can find the show. For more faith filled inspirational podcasts, 217 00:17:21,720 --> 00:17:31,800 Speaker 3: visit us at lifeaudio dot com.