1 00:00:02,680 --> 00:00:20,599 Speaker 1: Life Audio. Hey friend, do you ever find yourself overwhelmed 2 00:00:20,800 --> 00:00:26,080 Speaker 1: by what ifs? Maybe you're worried about a situation you're 3 00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:29,640 Speaker 1: finding yourself in. It could be a difficult decision, a 4 00:00:29,680 --> 00:00:34,400 Speaker 1: season of uncertainty, or a health challenge, or simply just 5 00:00:34,440 --> 00:00:38,280 Speaker 1: not knowing what comes next, and those what ifs keep 6 00:00:38,400 --> 00:00:42,360 Speaker 1: running through your mind. What if something goes wrong, what 7 00:00:42,400 --> 00:00:45,519 Speaker 1: if things don't work out? What if I'm not ready 8 00:00:45,600 --> 00:00:49,080 Speaker 1: for what's ahead? Well, you're not alone. Today We're going 9 00:00:49,159 --> 00:00:52,199 Speaker 1: to talk about one simple practice that can help you 10 00:00:52,800 --> 00:01:01,400 Speaker 1: move from fear to faith even when your circumstances haven't changed. Well, friend, 11 00:01:01,520 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 1: welcome to Breathe the Stressless Podcast. I'm Bonnie Gray, your 12 00:01:06,880 --> 00:01:10,480 Speaker 1: soul care guide for this time, designed just for you 13 00:01:11,080 --> 00:01:14,560 Speaker 1: to rest and refresh your soul. You're going to pick 14 00:01:14,640 --> 00:01:19,160 Speaker 1: up a practical soul care tip that's based on science 15 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:23,240 Speaker 1: that'll help you restore calm to your body and your emotions, 16 00:01:23,440 --> 00:01:27,039 Speaker 1: and you'll pick up a loving word of affirmation from 17 00:01:27,080 --> 00:01:31,440 Speaker 1: God in scripture. I'm also the best selling author of 18 00:01:31,640 --> 00:01:36,679 Speaker 1: Breathe twenty one Days to stress Less and Transform Cast 19 00:01:36,800 --> 00:01:40,080 Speaker 1: to Calm. And if you're looking for a loving devotional 20 00:01:40,120 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: that has both science, and scripture. Pick up a copy 21 00:01:43,360 --> 00:01:47,520 Speaker 1: of Whispers of Rest. I love meeting friends who've read 22 00:01:47,560 --> 00:01:50,440 Speaker 1: it as I go about and travel. It's always wonderful 23 00:01:50,480 --> 00:01:53,560 Speaker 1: to hear about the beautiful times that people have been 24 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:59,120 Speaker 1: able to enjoy in going through this forty day devotional Well, 25 00:01:59,200 --> 00:02:02,800 Speaker 1: I want to ask you how you're doing when you're 26 00:02:02,840 --> 00:02:05,200 Speaker 1: going through a tough time. Do you find yourself asking 27 00:02:05,240 --> 00:02:09,400 Speaker 1: a lot of what if questions? Maybe you're asking what 28 00:02:09,400 --> 00:02:12,040 Speaker 1: if things don't work out the way I planned? What 29 00:02:12,120 --> 00:02:16,160 Speaker 1: if I'm facing more than I can handle? Friend, We've 30 00:02:16,200 --> 00:02:21,120 Speaker 1: all been there. When uncertainty shows up, our minds naturally 31 00:02:21,360 --> 00:02:25,079 Speaker 1: start filling in the blanks. Today, we're going to talk 32 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:28,240 Speaker 1: about how to move from fear to faith when those 33 00:02:28,320 --> 00:02:31,640 Speaker 1: what ifs start taking over. I'm going to share my 34 00:02:31,680 --> 00:02:34,800 Speaker 1: personal story from this past week when I found myself there, 35 00:02:35,280 --> 00:02:39,040 Speaker 1: and we're going to explore why our minds naturally will 36 00:02:39,080 --> 00:02:43,399 Speaker 1: focus on worst case scenarios. We'll also look at how 37 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:47,840 Speaker 1: Jesus comforts us in those moments of uncertainty, what it 38 00:02:47,919 --> 00:02:51,200 Speaker 1: means to take notice of the things that can turn 39 00:02:51,600 --> 00:02:55,880 Speaker 1: our what ifs around, and one simple soil care practice 40 00:02:56,080 --> 00:02:59,760 Speaker 1: that can help us shift our focus from fear to 41 00:03:01,120 --> 00:03:04,399 Speaker 1: If you have been moving through a lot of uncertainty, 42 00:03:05,320 --> 00:03:09,200 Speaker 1: this episode is for you, and friend, if you're looking 43 00:03:09,240 --> 00:03:11,960 Speaker 1: for more peace and renewal with Jesus, I have a 44 00:03:12,080 --> 00:03:15,560 Speaker 1: free devotional i'd love for you to enjoy. You can 45 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:19,840 Speaker 1: download it. It's called Find Your Joy with Jesus. It's 46 00:03:19,880 --> 00:03:23,000 Speaker 1: a four day devotional and just look at the link 47 00:03:23,080 --> 00:03:26,359 Speaker 1: in today's show notes and you can download it and 48 00:03:26,480 --> 00:03:42,640 Speaker 1: we'll be right back. Well, friend, our breath prayer this 49 00:03:42,720 --> 00:03:47,240 Speaker 1: week comes from a beautiful, loving word from God. It's 50 00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:52,160 Speaker 1: from Isaiah thirty twenty one. Whether you turn to the 51 00:03:52,280 --> 00:03:56,000 Speaker 1: right or to the left, your ears will hear a 52 00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:01,440 Speaker 1: voice behind you saying, this is the way walk in it. 53 00:04:03,160 --> 00:04:06,360 Speaker 1: What a comfort it is to know that God is 54 00:04:06,480 --> 00:04:11,560 Speaker 1: right beside us, his voice guiding us gently. Let's just 55 00:04:11,760 --> 00:04:20,039 Speaker 1: breathe in this truth slowly, inhale. This is the way, exhale. 56 00:04:20,880 --> 00:04:27,719 Speaker 1: Walk in it. Again, inhale, this is the way exhale 57 00:04:28,440 --> 00:04:33,880 Speaker 1: walk in it. Well, Friend, Jesus is not asking us 58 00:04:33,920 --> 00:04:40,080 Speaker 1: to walk ahead alone. Jesus is right beside you, walking 59 00:04:40,440 --> 00:04:44,720 Speaker 1: with you. Just continue to relax, breathing in and out 60 00:04:44,760 --> 00:04:46,719 Speaker 1: as we continue our time together. 61 00:04:48,839 --> 00:04:49,000 Speaker 2: Well. 62 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,960 Speaker 1: I shared last week that one of the personal challenges 63 00:04:52,000 --> 00:04:54,600 Speaker 1: that I'm facing right now is that I have an 64 00:04:54,680 --> 00:04:59,800 Speaker 1: ankle surgery scheduled next month. And I'll be honest, one 65 00:04:59,800 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 1: of the the reasons I didn't want surgery is because 66 00:05:02,960 --> 00:05:06,200 Speaker 1: I know recovery is going to take time. There will 67 00:05:06,279 --> 00:05:10,320 Speaker 1: be rehab, there is gonna be limitations, and if I'm 68 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:15,240 Speaker 1: being even more honest, I'm afraid of pain. I've never 69 00:05:15,279 --> 00:05:21,120 Speaker 1: had surgery before, so there's anxiety about that too. Recently, 70 00:05:21,240 --> 00:05:26,120 Speaker 1: I was filling out a long list of preoperative questions 71 00:05:26,160 --> 00:05:31,960 Speaker 1: from my surgeon's office. There literally were twenty questions, medical questions, 72 00:05:32,040 --> 00:05:35,599 Speaker 1: health questions, prep questions, and then I got to the 73 00:05:35,720 --> 00:05:39,520 Speaker 1: very last question and it stopped me. This is what 74 00:05:39,640 --> 00:05:45,200 Speaker 1: it said, Doctor E offers a prayer for healing to 75 00:05:45,279 --> 00:05:50,360 Speaker 1: all his patients before surgery. Is this something you would like? Oh, 76 00:05:50,400 --> 00:05:53,680 Speaker 1: my goodness, friends, It was like the hand of my 77 00:05:53,800 --> 00:05:58,839 Speaker 1: loving shepherd resting gently on my shoulder. I felt like 78 00:05:59,000 --> 00:06:02,520 Speaker 1: Jesus was still getting me as he walks with me 79 00:06:02,680 --> 00:06:07,320 Speaker 1: through this valley, And in that moment, I felt, Jesus, whisper, 80 00:06:08,120 --> 00:06:13,200 Speaker 1: I am with you. Nothing about my situation has changed. 81 00:06:13,560 --> 00:06:17,520 Speaker 1: I still need surgery. I still have recovery ahead of me. 82 00:06:18,279 --> 00:06:24,320 Speaker 1: The valley didn't disappear, But suddenly I felt comforted, not 83 00:06:24,480 --> 00:06:28,120 Speaker 1: because Jesus was taking me out of the valley, but 84 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:32,880 Speaker 1: because Jesus was reminding me that I wasn't walking through 85 00:06:32,880 --> 00:06:37,440 Speaker 1: it alone. Later, when I asked my surgeon about his faith, 86 00:06:38,040 --> 00:06:41,320 Speaker 1: he shared that he's a Christian, and once again I 87 00:06:41,360 --> 00:06:48,599 Speaker 1: felt that gentle reassurance. Not certainty, not guarantees, just comfort. 88 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:52,280 Speaker 1: In the moment, it was a comfort of knowing that 89 00:06:52,400 --> 00:06:56,479 Speaker 1: Jesus was already here with me in the valley before 90 00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:02,560 Speaker 1: I realized and recognized that I wasn't alone. Friend, what 91 00:07:02,839 --> 00:07:08,279 Speaker 1: valley do you find yourself walking through today? Friend? What 92 00:07:08,480 --> 00:07:11,360 Speaker 1: is that valley you find yourself walking through right now? 93 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:16,920 Speaker 1: What fears and uncertainties seem to be casting shadows across 94 00:07:16,960 --> 00:07:21,480 Speaker 1: your day? Maybe for you it's a relationship or a 95 00:07:21,520 --> 00:07:25,800 Speaker 1: financial burden, or perhaps a decision you don't know how 96 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 1: to make, or simply not knowing what comes next. We 97 00:07:30,520 --> 00:07:34,920 Speaker 1: are not alone in wanting only green pastures in our lives. 98 00:07:35,480 --> 00:07:39,280 Speaker 1: You know what's beautiful? Even the Psalmist reminds us he 99 00:07:39,480 --> 00:07:42,840 Speaker 1: had to go through the valleys. He had time in 100 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,240 Speaker 1: the green pastures and yet he says, when he was 101 00:07:46,320 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 1: there the valleys, he said, you're broad and your staff 102 00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:54,400 Speaker 1: they comfort me. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, 103 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: I will not fear for you or with me. Your 104 00:07:57,800 --> 00:08:02,400 Speaker 1: rod and your staff they come comfort me. Well, friends, 105 00:08:02,440 --> 00:08:06,120 Speaker 1: I'm curious if there was something that would really be 106 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:08,640 Speaker 1: able to help you as you walk through those valleys. 107 00:08:09,200 --> 00:08:13,480 Speaker 1: Would it be the rod it represents protection and safety, 108 00:08:14,200 --> 00:08:20,040 Speaker 1: or the staff, which represents rescue and guidance. Just take 109 00:08:20,040 --> 00:08:24,480 Speaker 1: a moment now and notice which is your greatest desire 110 00:08:24,640 --> 00:08:32,599 Speaker 1: in this moment. Would it be for protection, safety, guidance, rescue. 111 00:08:33,880 --> 00:08:37,240 Speaker 1: That one word could be a one word prayer, you 112 00:08:37,320 --> 00:08:42,240 Speaker 1: whisper that God would provide just what you need to 113 00:08:42,360 --> 00:08:47,640 Speaker 1: comfort you. For me. What allowed me to feel God's 114 00:08:47,679 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: loving hand on my heart was knowing that my surgeon 115 00:08:51,520 --> 00:08:55,600 Speaker 1: would be praying for me. It just reminded me that 116 00:08:55,720 --> 00:09:01,440 Speaker 1: Jesus is here with me, and it brought me comfort. Friend, 117 00:09:01,920 --> 00:09:06,040 Speaker 1: your loving shepherd is in the valley right there beside you, 118 00:09:06,520 --> 00:09:10,520 Speaker 1: holding your hand, and he knows how to carry you through. 119 00:09:11,640 --> 00:09:13,720 Speaker 1: And when we come back, we're going to learn the 120 00:09:13,800 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 1: science behind something we can do to stop the what 121 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:22,280 Speaker 1: ifs and to move us from faith to fear, and 122 00:09:22,320 --> 00:09:37,720 Speaker 1: we'll be right back well. Research in psychology shows that 123 00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:43,320 Speaker 1: our brains naturally pay more attention to threats than comforts. 124 00:09:44,120 --> 00:09:49,720 Speaker 1: Psychologists calls this the negativity bias. In other words, our 125 00:09:49,800 --> 00:09:54,560 Speaker 1: brains are wired to notice what might go wrong before 126 00:09:54,600 --> 00:09:58,480 Speaker 1: they notice what's going right. There's a psychologist and author, 127 00:09:58,559 --> 00:10:01,720 Speaker 1: Rack Hanson. He famously he describes the brain as being 128 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 1: quote velcrow for negative experiences. In other words, fears tend 129 00:10:07,920 --> 00:10:12,199 Speaker 1: to stick. So that's exactly why when we're walking through 130 00:10:12,240 --> 00:10:16,000 Speaker 1: a valley, our minds will naturally focus on things like, oh, 131 00:10:16,040 --> 00:10:19,280 Speaker 1: what if the surgery hurts? What if something goes wrong? 132 00:10:19,640 --> 00:10:24,480 Speaker 1: The brain just automatically notices it. But here's the encouraging news. 133 00:10:25,000 --> 00:10:30,120 Speaker 1: God also designed our brains to be changeable, and researchers 134 00:10:30,280 --> 00:10:37,439 Speaker 1: call this neuroplasticity. It allows our brains to rewire so 135 00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:41,000 Speaker 1: that we can get out of the negativity bias. The 136 00:10:41,040 --> 00:10:46,480 Speaker 1: more we intentionally notice signs of support, encouragement, safety, and care, 137 00:10:47,440 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 1: the more our brain will create a new pathway to calm, 138 00:10:51,920 --> 00:10:56,319 Speaker 1: peace and trust. That's why it matters when we pause 139 00:10:56,480 --> 00:11:02,040 Speaker 1: to notice, for instance, a friend's tech a scripture verse 140 00:11:02,760 --> 00:11:08,200 Speaker 1: a prayer, a worship song, a small kindness, or something 141 00:11:08,200 --> 00:11:12,559 Speaker 1: that you see that's beautiful to redirect our minds. Friend, 142 00:11:12,600 --> 00:11:17,000 Speaker 1: we're not pretending that the valley isn't there. We're helping 143 00:11:17,080 --> 00:11:21,240 Speaker 1: our minds, our brains to make a new route to 144 00:11:21,480 --> 00:11:25,560 Speaker 1: notice that our loving shepherd is walking beside us in it. 145 00:11:26,559 --> 00:11:30,079 Speaker 1: And that's exactly what happened to me. Nothing changed medically, 146 00:11:30,240 --> 00:11:34,840 Speaker 1: I still need surgery. The valley still remains, but instead 147 00:11:34,840 --> 00:11:38,760 Speaker 1: of focusing only on my fears, I noticed a reminder 148 00:11:38,840 --> 00:11:42,200 Speaker 1: that Jesus was with me and it just changed the 149 00:11:42,240 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 1: whole day. So it changes how we experience the valley. 150 00:11:48,200 --> 00:11:55,720 Speaker 1: Fear notices the shadows, but soul care notices the shepherd. Okay, 151 00:11:55,760 --> 00:11:58,360 Speaker 1: so are you excited. I want you to try this 152 00:11:58,480 --> 00:12:02,760 Speaker 1: sole care challenge this week. Here's your action. Take out 153 00:12:03,000 --> 00:12:05,640 Speaker 1: a notebook or open a note on your phone and 154 00:12:06,000 --> 00:12:10,840 Speaker 1: you can just start keeping track. Okay, want you to notice. 155 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:14,720 Speaker 1: It's important what we notice throughout the week. Notice what 156 00:12:15,080 --> 00:12:19,400 Speaker 1: reminds you that Jesus is with you. It's like looking 157 00:12:19,480 --> 00:12:23,600 Speaker 1: for the shepherd's staff rather than continuing to look at 158 00:12:23,600 --> 00:12:27,000 Speaker 1: the shadows. This is a simple practice, friends, that helps 159 00:12:27,160 --> 00:12:29,840 Speaker 1: us move from fear to faith and it literally will 160 00:12:29,880 --> 00:12:33,920 Speaker 1: start rewiring our brains. So instead of asking, okay, what 161 00:12:34,240 --> 00:12:38,920 Speaker 1: if XYZ goes wrong, begin to ask, what if Jesus 162 00:12:39,360 --> 00:12:45,480 Speaker 1: is here with me? What is Jesus showing you? And 163 00:12:45,520 --> 00:12:49,480 Speaker 1: that's how we make use of our brain's neuroplasticity, the 164 00:12:49,480 --> 00:12:54,840 Speaker 1: ability to rewire, noticing the shepherd instead of only the shadows. 165 00:12:55,320 --> 00:12:57,120 Speaker 1: So here are some of the things you can start 166 00:12:57,160 --> 00:13:00,920 Speaker 1: to notice. Maybe encouraging text from a friend, or a 167 00:13:00,960 --> 00:13:04,880 Speaker 1: song that you've been drawn too lately, a bubble verse 168 00:13:04,920 --> 00:13:10,040 Speaker 1: you particularly like, or maybe something about what can encourage 169 00:13:10,040 --> 00:13:15,199 Speaker 1: you as a next step. The sunset, a prayer, a conversation, 170 00:13:16,360 --> 00:13:20,120 Speaker 1: or an unexpected kindness. What is it that is God's 171 00:13:20,120 --> 00:13:23,000 Speaker 1: love note? Is there a love note that God has 172 00:13:23,080 --> 00:13:26,040 Speaker 1: tucked in somewhere to help you notice He's with you, 173 00:13:26,520 --> 00:13:33,120 Speaker 1: feeling beautiful or simply his comfort. Well, let's pray Jesus, 174 00:13:33,440 --> 00:13:36,280 Speaker 1: thank you for being our shepherd. Thank you that we 175 00:13:36,400 --> 00:13:40,760 Speaker 1: never walk alone through the valleys when fear hast shadows 176 00:13:40,880 --> 00:13:44,560 Speaker 1: over our hearts. Help us to see your loving hand 177 00:13:44,920 --> 00:13:48,200 Speaker 1: on our hearts. Help us to feel your loving hand 178 00:13:48,280 --> 00:13:51,960 Speaker 1: on our shoulder. Give us eyes to notice your comfort, 179 00:13:52,440 --> 00:13:58,319 Speaker 1: your protection, your guidance and your presence. Jesus, fill our 180 00:13:58,360 --> 00:14:02,480 Speaker 1: minds with your loving presence, help us to hear your 181 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:07,160 Speaker 1: voice and move our hearts from fear to faith in 182 00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:13,040 Speaker 1: Jesus's name. Amen. Well, friend, I hope today's time has 183 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:17,160 Speaker 1: lifted your hearts to the things that Jesus has placed 184 00:14:17,320 --> 00:14:20,920 Speaker 1: on your heart and in your day and guiding you 185 00:14:21,040 --> 00:14:24,680 Speaker 1: to more peace. If there's a friend you think would 186 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:28,960 Speaker 1: be encouraged by today's message, share today's episode with them. 187 00:14:29,280 --> 00:14:32,800 Speaker 1: It's so wonderful to walk alongside each other and it 188 00:14:32,840 --> 00:14:37,080 Speaker 1: makes all the difference. And I'd love to ask a favor. 189 00:14:37,480 --> 00:14:40,040 Speaker 1: If you have a moment and you place a review 190 00:14:40,160 --> 00:14:44,480 Speaker 1: or rating, your words can help bring a new friend 191 00:14:44,960 --> 00:14:49,280 Speaker 1: to the incursion of this podcast for Soul Care with Jesus. 192 00:14:49,800 --> 00:14:53,040 Speaker 1: Thanks for your support for this ministry and friend, if 193 00:14:53,040 --> 00:14:55,840 Speaker 1: you're looking for more peace and renewal with Jesus, I 194 00:14:55,960 --> 00:14:59,520 Speaker 1: have a free devotional I'd love for you to enjoy. 195 00:14:59,560 --> 00:15:03,560 Speaker 1: You can download it. It's called Find Your Joy with Jesus. 196 00:15:04,000 --> 00:15:06,920 Speaker 1: It's a four day devotional. Just look at the link 197 00:15:07,000 --> 00:15:10,440 Speaker 1: in today's show notes and you can download it. Remember 198 00:15:10,520 --> 00:15:15,080 Speaker 1: you're loved, you are cherished. Just rest and I'll see 199 00:15:15,080 --> 00:15:15,640 Speaker 1: you next time. 200 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:23,960 Speaker 2: Breathe The stress Less Podcast is a production of Life 201 00:15:24,040 --> 00:15:27,160 Speaker 2: Audio and Sale Media. If you like what you heard today, 202 00:15:27,280 --> 00:15:30,119 Speaker 2: please take a second to rate and review this podcast 203 00:15:30,240 --> 00:15:33,280 Speaker 2: in your favorite podcast app so that more listeners like 204 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 2: you can find the show. For more faith filled, inspirational podcasts, 205 00:15:37,800 --> 00:15:47,360 Speaker 2: visit us at lifeaudio dot com.