1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:15,560 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:17,480 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 2: Hey friend, have you ever felt you signed up for 3 00:00:20,680 --> 00:00:24,560 Speaker 2: one thing and ended up on a completely different path. 4 00:00:25,120 --> 00:00:27,600 Speaker 2: Maybe you thought a challenge would last a few weeks, 5 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:31,120 Speaker 2: but then it turned in two months. And maybe you 6 00:00:31,200 --> 00:00:34,160 Speaker 2: thought life would be moving in one direction and suddenly 7 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:38,120 Speaker 2: everything changed. What do you do when life doesn't go 8 00:00:38,280 --> 00:00:41,239 Speaker 2: according to plan? Today we're going to talk about how 9 00:00:41,240 --> 00:00:47,800 Speaker 2: to keep moving forward when the course changes unexpectedly. Well, friend, 10 00:00:48,080 --> 00:00:52,800 Speaker 2: welcome to Breathe the stress Less Podcast. I'm Bonnie Gray, 11 00:00:53,200 --> 00:00:56,800 Speaker 2: your sole care guide for this time, designed just for 12 00:00:57,040 --> 00:01:01,080 Speaker 2: you to rest and refresh your soul. You're going to 13 00:01:01,200 --> 00:01:04,680 Speaker 2: pick up a loving word of affirmation from God in 14 00:01:04,760 --> 00:01:09,880 Speaker 2: scripture and a practical soul care tip based on science 15 00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:13,480 Speaker 2: to help me start calm to your emotions and your body. 16 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:17,360 Speaker 2: I am the best selling author of Breathe, twenty one 17 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:21,959 Speaker 2: Days Too Stressless and Transform Chaos to Calm, along with 18 00:01:22,480 --> 00:01:26,080 Speaker 2: three other books on wellness and faith, and I am 19 00:01:26,160 --> 00:01:31,319 Speaker 2: the founder of Soul Care School. Well. Let me ask you, friend, 20 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:35,880 Speaker 2: have you been surprised by life lately? Maybe you're facing 21 00:01:36,000 --> 00:01:42,679 Speaker 2: a health challenge, a delay, a disappointment, or an unexpected change. 22 00:01:43,080 --> 00:01:47,039 Speaker 2: A season that's just lasting much longer than you want 23 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:50,080 Speaker 2: and that you thought it would. Today, we're going to 24 00:01:50,240 --> 00:01:54,720 Speaker 2: talk about what to do when life takes an unexpected turn, 25 00:01:55,400 --> 00:01:57,960 Speaker 2: and we're going to explore how to keep moving forward 26 00:01:58,080 --> 00:02:01,800 Speaker 2: when things don't go according to plan. I'm raising my 27 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:03,760 Speaker 2: hands because I'm going to share my own story with 28 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:08,960 Speaker 2: you and how we can learn to have resilience to 29 00:02:09,080 --> 00:02:12,760 Speaker 2: get through that journey. What are practical things we can 30 00:02:12,800 --> 00:02:18,520 Speaker 2: do by science, research, and also through scripture. How Jesus 31 00:02:19,000 --> 00:02:23,400 Speaker 2: helps keep us running our race with hope. If you've 32 00:02:23,400 --> 00:02:28,320 Speaker 2: been feeling disoriented by unexpected changes, you are not alone. 33 00:02:28,880 --> 00:02:32,160 Speaker 2: This episode is for you and friend, if you're longing 34 00:02:32,200 --> 00:02:34,240 Speaker 2: from more peace and renewal, I want to invite you 35 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:37,320 Speaker 2: to download my free devotional. It's my gift to you. 36 00:02:37,720 --> 00:02:41,200 Speaker 2: It's called Find Your Joy with Jesus is a four 37 00:02:41,280 --> 00:02:45,160 Speaker 2: day devotional with soul care that means scripture and science. 38 00:02:45,600 --> 00:02:47,640 Speaker 2: You'll find the link in today's show notes and you 39 00:02:47,760 --> 00:02:50,600 Speaker 2: click on the link and you can download and enjoy 40 00:02:51,400 --> 00:03:09,120 Speaker 2: and we'll be right back. Today's breath prayer is beautiful. 41 00:03:09,280 --> 00:03:12,480 Speaker 2: It's one of my all time favorites and it's from 42 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 2: Hebrews Chapter twelve, verses one to two. Let us run 43 00:03:17,320 --> 00:03:22,560 Speaker 2: with endurance the race that is set before us, looking 44 00:03:22,720 --> 00:03:29,200 Speaker 2: to Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith. Let's 45 00:03:29,200 --> 00:03:32,600 Speaker 2: just breathe in this loving truth from God. Let our 46 00:03:32,639 --> 00:03:36,520 Speaker 2: breathing signal our bodies for rest, and let it refresh 47 00:03:36,600 --> 00:03:42,000 Speaker 2: our spirit. With this beautiful invitation. In hell, let us 48 00:03:42,120 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 2: run with endurance, exhale, looking to Jesus again. In Hell, 49 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:57,720 Speaker 2: let us run the race before us. Exhale, looking to Jesus. 50 00:03:58,680 --> 00:04:03,840 Speaker 2: He's the author and perfector of our faith. Just continue 51 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:08,120 Speaker 2: to relax, knowing that Jesus is familiar with every mile 52 00:04:08,520 --> 00:04:12,800 Speaker 2: of the race that you were running. This week, I 53 00:04:12,840 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 2: read an incredible story and I immediately thought, I have 54 00:04:16,360 --> 00:04:19,359 Speaker 2: to share this with you. This is such a beautiful, 55 00:04:19,520 --> 00:04:22,039 Speaker 2: powerful soul care story. I'm going to share with you 56 00:04:22,080 --> 00:04:25,200 Speaker 2: and then we'll come back and ask some questions that 57 00:04:25,279 --> 00:04:29,840 Speaker 2: will be very helpful in our wellness. Now, there's a 58 00:04:29,920 --> 00:04:33,039 Speaker 2: nine year old boy named kid Level, and he showed 59 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:36,680 Speaker 2: up to run a five k race, but part way 60 00:04:36,760 --> 00:04:41,960 Speaker 2: through the race, a volunteer accidentally directed him onto the 61 00:04:42,000 --> 00:04:47,080 Speaker 2: ten k course. Now Caid was confused. He noticed that 62 00:04:47,080 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 2: the signs didn't seem right. He realized the runners around 63 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:54,360 Speaker 2: him were adults, and eventually he figured out he wasn't 64 00:04:54,440 --> 00:04:57,080 Speaker 2: running the race he thought he signed up for. But 65 00:04:57,160 --> 00:04:58,400 Speaker 2: what I love is what he said. 66 00:04:58,440 --> 00:04:58,839 Speaker 1: He said. 67 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,320 Speaker 2: I was a little confused, but I was like, okay, 68 00:05:02,480 --> 00:05:06,719 Speaker 2: I'm just going to listen. And later Caid said, I'm 69 00:05:06,880 --> 00:05:10,640 Speaker 2: just going to keep running. I want to get to 70 00:05:10,839 --> 00:05:15,720 Speaker 2: the finish line. Meanwhile, his poor mom was waiting at 71 00:05:15,760 --> 00:05:19,159 Speaker 2: the finish line, wondering where he was the five k 72 00:05:19,279 --> 00:05:25,640 Speaker 2: finish line. The minutes kept passing. She became so worried, concerned, 73 00:05:25,960 --> 00:05:30,359 Speaker 2: then frightened. People started looking for kid, and when the 74 00:05:30,440 --> 00:05:33,719 Speaker 2: mom finally spotted him running alone on the course, she 75 00:05:34,040 --> 00:05:38,760 Speaker 2: assumed that he was last because he was running alone. Instead, 76 00:05:38,880 --> 00:05:44,200 Speaker 2: something incredible happened. Cad crossed the finish line. Friends, he 77 00:05:44,360 --> 00:05:47,599 Speaker 2: won the race. This was a race he never even 78 00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:52,039 Speaker 2: intended to enter, a race, he never trained for a race. 79 00:05:52,080 --> 00:05:55,680 Speaker 2: He didn't even know he was running. And when I 80 00:05:55,720 --> 00:05:59,400 Speaker 2: read that story, I found myself asking, and I want 81 00:05:59,440 --> 00:06:03,120 Speaker 2: to ask you, dear friend, who do you relate to 82 00:06:03,240 --> 00:06:07,960 Speaker 2: most in this story? Do you relate to Cad or 83 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:11,760 Speaker 2: do you relate to his mom and friend? That's a 84 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:15,919 Speaker 2: powerful soul care question. Who do you relate to in 85 00:06:16,040 --> 00:06:21,520 Speaker 2: this story. This week, I realized that I related most caid. 86 00:06:22,360 --> 00:06:25,560 Speaker 2: I thought that I would be on crutches for six weeks. 87 00:06:26,000 --> 00:06:29,760 Speaker 2: I expected that my stress fracture would heal, I have 88 00:06:29,880 --> 00:06:33,960 Speaker 2: it in my inkle. Instead, I just learned last week 89 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 2: that the ankle isn't healing the way we had hoped. 90 00:06:37,600 --> 00:06:40,040 Speaker 2: And now the doctor says I need to have surgery, 91 00:06:40,120 --> 00:06:43,080 Speaker 2: and it's scheduled for next month, and I will be honest. 92 00:06:43,720 --> 00:06:48,440 Speaker 2: I felt so shocked, disoriented, a little bit like Cade 93 00:06:48,760 --> 00:06:52,080 Speaker 2: realizing he wasn't on the race that he thought he 94 00:06:52,160 --> 00:06:55,880 Speaker 2: signed up for. And maybe you feel that way too. 95 00:06:56,800 --> 00:06:59,440 Speaker 2: You thought you signed up for one challenge, and now 96 00:06:59,440 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 2: it feels like you're running a much longer race, a 97 00:07:02,640 --> 00:07:07,040 Speaker 2: harder race, a race you never expected. What I love 98 00:07:07,200 --> 00:07:11,680 Speaker 2: is that Kate didn't stop on his course. He said, Okay, 99 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:14,040 Speaker 2: I'm just going to listen. 100 00:07:14,960 --> 00:07:15,280 Speaker 1: Friend. 101 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:20,000 Speaker 2: What helps you hear God's voice when life changes unexpectedly? 102 00:07:21,000 --> 00:07:24,840 Speaker 2: Is it time at the beach, worship music, a walk 103 00:07:24,880 --> 00:07:30,040 Speaker 2: in nature, coffee with a trusted friend, a morning retreat 104 00:07:30,160 --> 00:07:35,200 Speaker 2: with Jesus. Maybe? Well, Kate said, I'm just going to 105 00:07:35,280 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 2: keep running, and that inspires me because scripture tells us 106 00:07:41,320 --> 00:07:44,640 Speaker 2: let us run with endurance the race that is set 107 00:07:44,680 --> 00:07:49,600 Speaker 2: before us, looking to Jesus. That's Hebrews twelve one to 108 00:07:49,640 --> 00:07:53,440 Speaker 2: two our breath prayer this week. Notice it doesn't say 109 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:59,720 Speaker 2: run someone else's race, Run the race you wish you had, run, 110 00:07:59,760 --> 00:08:04,240 Speaker 2: the race you planned for. No friends, It encourages us 111 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:09,640 Speaker 2: run the race set before you, and look at Jesus. 112 00:08:10,600 --> 00:08:15,640 Speaker 2: Something beautiful happened this week. Instead of carrying my disappointment alone, 113 00:08:15,720 --> 00:08:18,119 Speaker 2: I posted a prayer request to my Bible study group. 114 00:08:18,520 --> 00:08:21,560 Speaker 2: It's a newer group, a group I just joined recently, 115 00:08:21,840 --> 00:08:23,800 Speaker 2: and part of me felt like I hadn't been there 116 00:08:23,840 --> 00:08:26,960 Speaker 2: long enough. Part of me thought maybe I should wait, 117 00:08:27,440 --> 00:08:31,080 Speaker 2: maybe I shouldn't burden anybody. But I asked for prayer anyway, 118 00:08:31,640 --> 00:08:34,480 Speaker 2: and the encouragement that came back brought me so much peace. 119 00:08:35,120 --> 00:08:38,800 Speaker 2: A worship song surfaced in my heart as I read 120 00:08:38,880 --> 00:08:42,080 Speaker 2: the messages that were replying, and it became my prayer. 121 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:46,000 Speaker 2: This song that happened to surface on my heart was 122 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:52,400 Speaker 2: Battle Belongs, the version by Anthem Worship Friend. Sometimes resilience 123 00:08:52,679 --> 00:08:59,800 Speaker 2: isn't pushing harder. Sometimes resilience is receiving support. Maybe you 124 00:08:59,800 --> 00:09:03,920 Speaker 2: were more Decaide's mom right now in your journey, trying 125 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:07,800 Speaker 2: to solve everything, trying to protect the one you love, 126 00:09:08,600 --> 00:09:11,200 Speaker 2: trying to figure out why they haven't crossed the finish 127 00:09:11,320 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 2: line yet. What if God has a different course that 128 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 2: doubt for them? What if you don't have to carry 129 00:09:18,280 --> 00:09:23,800 Speaker 2: the responsibility for the outcome of their race? What would 130 00:09:23,800 --> 00:09:27,600 Speaker 2: help you lay down that burden today? Friend? Maybe the 131 00:09:27,679 --> 00:09:32,840 Speaker 2: answer is I don't know, and that is okay because 132 00:09:32,960 --> 00:09:36,720 Speaker 2: Jesus is right before you, reaching out his hand to 133 00:09:36,800 --> 00:09:40,880 Speaker 2: you to embrace you, to love you, hold you, and help. 134 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:47,120 Speaker 2: Maybe next step is simply surrendering the outcome to Jesus, 135 00:09:47,559 --> 00:09:52,160 Speaker 2: who loves your son, your daughter, your spouse, your mom, 136 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:56,800 Speaker 2: your dad, whoever it is, releasing him or her to 137 00:09:57,080 --> 00:09:59,640 Speaker 2: his care. Well, when we come back, we're going to 138 00:09:59,640 --> 00:10:03,080 Speaker 2: talk about the science of something we can do to 139 00:10:03,120 --> 00:10:05,680 Speaker 2: be able to have that resilience so we can run 140 00:10:05,679 --> 00:10:20,040 Speaker 2: our race well and we'll be right back well. Friend. 141 00:10:20,120 --> 00:10:24,360 Speaker 2: Research in psychology has found something very interesting. One of 142 00:10:24,400 --> 00:10:32,360 Speaker 2: the strongest predictors of resilience isn't toughness. It's connection. Isn't 143 00:10:32,360 --> 00:10:36,600 Speaker 2: that interesting? Is not trying harder? People feel supported by 144 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 2: others tend to cope better with stress, illness, uncertainty and 145 00:10:42,440 --> 00:10:48,480 Speaker 2: major life changes. Studies show that social support helps reduce stress, 146 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:55,000 Speaker 2: improves emotional wellbeing, and increases our ability to adapt during 147 00:10:55,120 --> 00:10:59,240 Speaker 2: difficult seasons. In other words, we were never meant to 148 00:10:59,440 --> 00:11:05,319 Speaker 2: run life. Life's race alone. That's right. In Hebrews Structure twelve, 149 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:08,959 Speaker 2: it says in the cloud of witnesses, meaning we're running 150 00:11:09,000 --> 00:11:14,400 Speaker 2: with other believers, other brothers and sisters. Support doesn't remove 151 00:11:14,520 --> 00:11:20,080 Speaker 2: the challenge, but it changes how we carry it. Friend, 152 00:11:20,160 --> 00:11:24,400 Speaker 2: Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is not try harder. 153 00:11:25,360 --> 00:11:33,120 Speaker 2: Sometimes it's reaching out, asking for prayer, receiving encouragement, allowing 154 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:38,720 Speaker 2: someone to run alongside you. So here is your challenge 155 00:11:38,720 --> 00:11:42,080 Speaker 2: this week, your sole care challenge, A simple action you 156 00:11:42,160 --> 00:11:46,000 Speaker 2: can take. I want you to ask yourself, where am 157 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:51,079 Speaker 2: I trying to run alone? Okay, then choose one small action. 158 00:11:51,840 --> 00:11:56,400 Speaker 2: Here are some ideas. You might ask someone to pray 159 00:11:56,480 --> 00:12:03,080 Speaker 2: for you, text a trusted friend, schedule coffee with someone encouraging, 160 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:09,040 Speaker 2: join a small group, ask for a practical help, or 161 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:13,880 Speaker 2: share honestly about what you have been carrying. And here's 162 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:19,240 Speaker 2: another idea. Create a keep running playlist. Fill it with 163 00:12:19,360 --> 00:12:23,240 Speaker 2: worship songs that remind you that God is faithful songs 164 00:12:23,280 --> 00:12:26,520 Speaker 2: that encourage you when life doesn't go according to plan. 165 00:12:27,120 --> 00:12:31,240 Speaker 2: Songs that help keep your eyes on Jesus and his 166 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:36,080 Speaker 2: love for you. Then listen during your walks or appointments, 167 00:12:36,679 --> 00:12:39,640 Speaker 2: when the waiting rooms and recovery days, or like me, 168 00:12:39,960 --> 00:12:42,400 Speaker 2: I'm not walking now, but I like to listen to 169 00:12:42,440 --> 00:12:45,160 Speaker 2: it when I start my day having cup of coffee, 170 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:47,520 Speaker 2: or like when I end my day and I'm brushing 171 00:12:47,520 --> 00:12:51,760 Speaker 2: my teeth, I like to listen to my playlist any 172 00:12:51,760 --> 00:12:56,240 Speaker 2: moment you might need that extra boost or lift. Music 173 00:12:56,360 --> 00:13:02,000 Speaker 2: has that ability. Our brain will be releasing serotonin and 174 00:13:02,040 --> 00:13:07,040 Speaker 2: even dopamine when we listen to music that connects with us. So, friend, 175 00:13:07,120 --> 00:13:12,480 Speaker 2: don't run alone this week. Run looking at Jesus. Let's 176 00:13:12,520 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 2: pray Jesus, thank you for being with us when life 177 00:13:16,280 --> 00:13:21,200 Speaker 2: doesn't go according to plan. When we feel confused, help 178 00:13:21,280 --> 00:13:24,920 Speaker 2: us to listen for your loving voice, and when the 179 00:13:25,040 --> 00:13:30,839 Speaker 2: race feels longer than expected. Give us the endurance when 180 00:13:30,880 --> 00:13:34,599 Speaker 2: we feel discouraged. Remind us that we're not running alone. 181 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:40,400 Speaker 2: Help us to receive support, encouragement, and grace. Place your 182 00:13:40,480 --> 00:13:44,080 Speaker 2: loving hand on our hearts and touch us in a 183 00:13:44,120 --> 00:13:47,240 Speaker 2: way that only you can. To remind us that we 184 00:13:47,280 --> 00:13:50,760 Speaker 2: are loved, we are seen, and they're You're faithful to 185 00:13:50,880 --> 00:13:54,520 Speaker 2: carry us through no matter where we are on our journey. 186 00:13:55,240 --> 00:14:01,559 Speaker 2: You're guiding us all the way in Jesus' name. Aim well, friend, 187 00:14:01,600 --> 00:14:06,160 Speaker 2: I hope that today's encouragement is lifting your heart. Is 188 00:14:06,200 --> 00:14:10,040 Speaker 2: there a friend who you can encourage share this episode 189 00:14:10,080 --> 00:14:14,280 Speaker 2: with them. It's so helpful to walk alongside each other. 190 00:14:14,679 --> 00:14:18,080 Speaker 2: It makes all the difference. I remember to take a 191 00:14:18,080 --> 00:14:21,320 Speaker 2: moment to download the devotional a free gift to you. 192 00:14:21,520 --> 00:14:23,600 Speaker 2: Just click the link in the show notes. It's called 193 00:14:23,640 --> 00:14:28,080 Speaker 2: find your Joy with Jesus and can I ask a favor? 194 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:30,880 Speaker 2: If you take a moment to place a rating or 195 00:14:30,960 --> 00:14:34,040 Speaker 2: review wherever you're listening on this podcast, you can really 196 00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:37,640 Speaker 2: help this podcast find new hearts and new hands, and 197 00:14:37,680 --> 00:14:41,280 Speaker 2: we can encourage everyone along this journey together. Thank you 198 00:14:41,320 --> 00:14:45,120 Speaker 2: for your support for this ministry. Remember that you're loved, 199 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:49,320 Speaker 2: your cherished. Just rest and I'll see you next time. 200 00:14:54,360 --> 00:14:54,760 Speaker 1: Breathe. 201 00:14:54,960 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 2: The stress Less Podcast is a production of life audio 202 00:14:58,240 --> 00:15:01,600 Speaker 2: and sale media. Like what you heard today, Please take 203 00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:04,280 Speaker 2: a second to rate and review this podcast in your 204 00:15:04,320 --> 00:15:07,480 Speaker 2: favorite podcast app so that more listeners like you can 205 00:15:07,480 --> 00:15:11,840 Speaker 2: find the show For more faith filled inspirational podcasts. Visit 206 00:15:11,920 --> 00:15:21,640 Speaker 2: us at lifeaudio dot com.