1 00:00:02,650 --> 00:00:04,090 Speaker 1: Life Audio. 2 00:00:14,030 --> 00:00:20,770 Speaker 2: Hey friend, have you ever woken up and before your 3 00:00:20,870 --> 00:00:24,970 Speaker 2: feet even touch the floor, your mind has already handed 4 00:00:25,010 --> 00:00:26,610 Speaker 2: you a list of things to worry about? 5 00:00:27,550 --> 00:00:31,020 Speaker 1: And one worry leads to another and then another? And 6 00:00:31,140 --> 00:00:36,550 Speaker 1: suddenly your day seems scattered across problems that haven't even 7 00:00:36,610 --> 00:00:39,630 Speaker 1: happened yet or things that you really can't do or 8 00:00:39,830 --> 00:00:44,010 Speaker 1: solve right now. What if you could help your brain 9 00:00:44,050 --> 00:00:46,959 Speaker 1: let go of those worries without having to solve every 10 00:00:47,020 --> 00:00:49,800 Speaker 1: one of them? Well, today I'm going to share a 11 00:00:49,840 --> 00:00:52,760 Speaker 1: simple practice that helped me to do that this week 12 00:00:53,340 --> 00:00:55,900 Speaker 1: and the science behind why it works and how God 13 00:00:55,980 --> 00:01:00,180 Speaker 1: walks with us as we put those worries practices in 14 00:01:00,260 --> 00:01:05,100 Speaker 1: place in our lives. Well, friend, welcome to Breathe. It's 15 00:01:05,220 --> 00:01:08,890 Speaker 1: the stressless podcast called Breathe, and I'm so happy you're here. 16 00:01:09,370 --> 00:01:13,110 Speaker 1: I'm your host, Bonnie Gray. I'm a soul care mentor, 17 00:01:13,290 --> 00:01:16,789 Speaker 1: and I'm the bestselling author of four books. And one 18 00:01:16,810 --> 00:01:20,590 Speaker 1: of the latest hits is Breathe, 21 Days to Stress 19 00:01:20,630 --> 00:01:25,420 Speaker 1: Less and Transform Chaos to Calm. Well, we're definitely into 20 00:01:25,459 --> 00:01:31,990 Speaker 1: fall right now. I And we're continuing our science and 21 00:01:32,110 --> 00:01:37,990 Speaker 1: scripture wellness series. We're exploring one question together. What does 22 00:01:38,110 --> 00:01:42,310 Speaker 1: science tell us about how God designed us? And how 23 00:01:42,390 --> 00:01:45,670 Speaker 1: does scripture help us live out our wellness through these 24 00:01:45,730 --> 00:01:50,350 Speaker 1: two things, science and scripture? And today we're talking about worry. 25 00:01:50,370 --> 00:01:54,450 Speaker 1: You know, sometimes worry doesn't even come to us as 26 00:01:54,610 --> 00:01:57,680 Speaker 1: one big fear. It comes to us in a lot 27 00:01:57,720 --> 00:02:01,290 Speaker 1: of little thoughts. What about this? Did I do that right? 28 00:02:01,730 --> 00:02:04,950 Speaker 1: How am I going to tackle that other thing? And 29 00:02:04,990 --> 00:02:09,389 Speaker 1: because those thoughts appear, we sometimes assume they need all 30 00:02:09,530 --> 00:02:12,669 Speaker 1: our attention. They just capture us, right? Well, you're not 31 00:02:12,750 --> 00:02:16,000 Speaker 1: alone because what we're going to talk about is how 32 00:02:16,620 --> 00:02:20,160 Speaker 1: a worried thought can appear, but most importantly, how we 33 00:02:20,200 --> 00:02:24,780 Speaker 1: can respond. Because those worried thoughts might show up automatically, 34 00:02:25,139 --> 00:02:29,459 Speaker 1: we can start beating ourselves up for worrying. And it 35 00:02:29,520 --> 00:02:32,940 Speaker 1: might feel like our whole day's wrapped up in that 36 00:02:33,040 --> 00:02:35,780 Speaker 1: worried loop. But what if we can help our brains 37 00:02:35,820 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 1: let go of the worry more easily and return to 38 00:02:39,600 --> 00:02:44,150 Speaker 1: actually things that will energize us? That's what we're talking 39 00:02:44,190 --> 00:02:46,590 Speaker 1: about today. And I'm going to share a simple practice 40 00:02:46,850 --> 00:02:50,190 Speaker 1: I used myself this week and the story of what 41 00:02:50,270 --> 00:02:54,810 Speaker 1: happened when I tried it. As we step into fall, 42 00:02:54,910 --> 00:02:58,440 Speaker 1: I want to commend to you a book called that 43 00:02:58,680 --> 00:03:01,940 Speaker 1: I think will really bless you as we head into 44 00:03:02,000 --> 00:03:06,650 Speaker 1: this quiet period before the holidays to help you de-stress 45 00:03:07,130 --> 00:03:11,210 Speaker 1: and hear God's loving voice, God's loving whispers of rest. 46 00:03:11,370 --> 00:03:13,470 Speaker 1: I have a book where I captured 40 of the 47 00:03:13,510 --> 00:03:20,720 Speaker 1: most powerful promises in scripture that can help you emotionally, spiritually, physically, 48 00:03:21,020 --> 00:03:24,780 Speaker 1: and in your relational wellness. It's called Whispers of Rest. 49 00:03:24,780 --> 00:03:28,980 Speaker 1: 40 Days of God's Love to Revitalize Your Soul. And 50 00:03:29,040 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 1: I pack in the most powerful scripture and science that 51 00:03:32,120 --> 00:03:36,180 Speaker 1: helps me to heal from anxiety. So I'm going to 52 00:03:36,220 --> 00:03:37,980 Speaker 1: put a link in our show notes. I hope you 53 00:03:38,000 --> 00:03:40,200 Speaker 1: check it out and that it would bless your heart. 54 00:03:41,040 --> 00:03:57,530 Speaker 1: And we'll be right back. Well, our beautiful breath prayer 55 00:03:57,590 --> 00:04:02,680 Speaker 1: today comes to us from God's Word in Scripture. It's 56 00:04:02,720 --> 00:04:06,400 Speaker 1: a beautiful passage in 2 Corinthians 3, verse 17. Let's 57 00:04:06,500 --> 00:04:09,980 Speaker 1: just breathe in this truth to remind our hearts that 58 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:14,260 Speaker 1: we can rest. Just relax your shoulders, your hands, and 59 00:04:14,300 --> 00:04:30,030 Speaker 1: inhale gently. where the Spirit of the Lord is. Exhale, 60 00:04:30,470 --> 00:04:37,090 Speaker 1: there is freedom. Again, inhale, where the Spirit of the 61 00:04:37,190 --> 00:04:45,740 Speaker 1: Lord is. Exhale, there is freedom. Dear friend, God is 62 00:04:45,820 --> 00:04:50,720 Speaker 1: with you. His Holy Spirit is gently placing His hand 63 00:04:50,760 --> 00:04:55,090 Speaker 1: of peace on your heart, and there is freedom. in 64 00:04:55,330 --> 00:05:00,700 Speaker 1: His presence. Well, friend, I don't know why, but this 65 00:05:00,760 --> 00:05:05,100 Speaker 1: week I kept waking up with a brainstorm of worries. 66 00:05:05,760 --> 00:05:08,260 Speaker 1: They just kept popping into my mind the moment I 67 00:05:08,360 --> 00:05:11,799 Speaker 1: opened my eyes. When is my ankle going to get better? 68 00:05:11,820 --> 00:05:15,940 Speaker 1: I'm gaining weight because I just can't be so active. 69 00:05:16,680 --> 00:05:18,990 Speaker 1: What am I going to do in my empty nest 70 00:05:19,230 --> 00:05:23,090 Speaker 1: year starting next year when my son graduates from high school? 71 00:05:23,980 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 1: Did I say too much at the small group last week? 72 00:05:27,720 --> 00:05:30,730 Speaker 1: How am I going to prepare for the icebreaker for 73 00:05:30,790 --> 00:05:32,990 Speaker 1: the Bible study I'm going to be leading next month? 74 00:05:33,910 --> 00:05:36,970 Speaker 1: And I wonder how Josh is doing, my oldest son. 75 00:05:37,230 --> 00:05:40,610 Speaker 1: How's he doing in North Carolina? When should I start 76 00:05:40,650 --> 00:05:43,870 Speaker 1: cleaning up the backyard before the rain starts pouring in? 77 00:05:44,570 --> 00:05:48,910 Speaker 1: You see, none of these things were emergencies. But somehow, 78 00:05:48,990 --> 00:05:52,130 Speaker 1: first thing in the morning, my mind was just presenting 79 00:05:52,210 --> 00:05:56,210 Speaker 1: them to me one after the other. And I just 80 00:05:56,250 --> 00:05:59,600 Speaker 1: felt this sense of stress. And because I'm a soul 81 00:05:59,620 --> 00:06:04,580 Speaker 1: care mentor and I've studied stress and what we can 82 00:06:04,620 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 1: do in response to it, I knew that if I 83 00:06:08,360 --> 00:06:11,450 Speaker 1: just kept focusing on why am I worrying so much? 84 00:06:11,790 --> 00:06:14,530 Speaker 1: What's going on with me? I know that it'll just 85 00:06:15,050 --> 00:06:18,930 Speaker 1: amp up the worry loop. But I've been practicing something 86 00:06:19,010 --> 00:06:24,710 Speaker 1: different I ask myself this question, where is my attention 87 00:06:24,779 --> 00:06:28,200 Speaker 1: right now? And if my attention is on something that 88 00:06:28,220 --> 00:06:33,120 Speaker 1: I can't do anything about today, I don't have to 89 00:06:33,180 --> 00:06:38,000 Speaker 1: follow that thought. I can redirect my attention towards something 90 00:06:38,060 --> 00:06:43,150 Speaker 1: that's actually here. So I didn't begin by praying through 91 00:06:43,230 --> 00:06:45,650 Speaker 1: every worry. That's what I used to do. When all 92 00:06:45,690 --> 00:06:48,070 Speaker 1: these worries come to my mind, I'll start praying about 93 00:06:48,089 --> 00:06:53,620 Speaker 1: the worries. I simply whispered. Before I got up, I said, Lord, 94 00:06:54,080 --> 00:07:00,559 Speaker 1: good morning. Speak. I am listening. That's inspired by Samuel's prayer. 95 00:07:01,460 --> 00:07:04,029 Speaker 1: Then I went through my morning rhythm. I brushed my teeth, 96 00:07:04,150 --> 00:07:08,290 Speaker 1: made my bed, opened the blinds, looked at the trees outside, 97 00:07:08,370 --> 00:07:12,510 Speaker 1: made my coffee, and then I read that day's scripture. 98 00:07:12,530 --> 00:07:17,800 Speaker 1: And I asked God, Lord Jesus, what's one thing I 99 00:07:17,890 --> 00:07:22,010 Speaker 1: can attend to today? Just allow your Holy Spirit to 100 00:07:22,110 --> 00:07:27,280 Speaker 1: bring my attention to something I can attend to today. 101 00:07:28,540 --> 00:07:31,640 Speaker 1: And you know what's interesting? What happened when I prayed 102 00:07:31,660 --> 00:07:35,260 Speaker 1: that prayer and asked God that question? An idea related 103 00:07:35,300 --> 00:07:38,730 Speaker 1: to the Bible study I was preparing for, the parable 104 00:07:38,770 --> 00:07:41,990 Speaker 1: of the sower, came to my heart. And I started 105 00:07:42,270 --> 00:07:45,550 Speaker 1: looking at what kind of trees grow well here in 106 00:07:45,650 --> 00:07:49,150 Speaker 1: Silicon Valley. And I started learning about how different trees 107 00:07:49,270 --> 00:07:53,980 Speaker 1: grow what shapes they take, and how much water they need. 108 00:07:54,660 --> 00:07:58,250 Speaker 1: And somewhere in that little side quest, I realized whatever 109 00:07:58,320 --> 00:08:03,130 Speaker 1: I water is what will grow. I'm going to say 110 00:08:03,170 --> 00:08:08,950 Speaker 1: that again. Whatever I water is what will grow. And 111 00:08:09,090 --> 00:08:11,540 Speaker 1: I thought, you know what? That's true of my attention 112 00:08:11,620 --> 00:08:15,400 Speaker 1: as well. I can keep watering every worry that popped 113 00:08:15,460 --> 00:08:18,680 Speaker 1: in my mind. or I could place my attention on 114 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:24,470 Speaker 1: something that could give me life right now, today. Now, 115 00:08:24,590 --> 00:08:27,330 Speaker 1: after about 30 minutes of looking up these trees and 116 00:08:27,370 --> 00:08:29,510 Speaker 1: learning about trees and looking at them, I noticed how 117 00:08:29,610 --> 00:08:34,890 Speaker 1: different I felt. My mind just felt lighter. I felt sunnier. 118 00:08:34,910 --> 00:08:39,059 Speaker 1: I felt curious. I felt energized. That kind of heavy weight, 119 00:08:39,120 --> 00:08:44,699 Speaker 1: that fog lifted, and I felt peaceful. And suddenly, that 120 00:08:44,740 --> 00:08:47,830 Speaker 1: Bible study icebreaker that I knew I needed to figure 121 00:08:47,880 --> 00:08:50,730 Speaker 1: out actually didn't feel so urgent. I knew I can 122 00:08:51,150 --> 00:08:54,309 Speaker 1: come back to it later. And usually when I wake 123 00:08:54,350 --> 00:08:57,270 Speaker 1: up with that many worries, I can feel that foggy 124 00:08:57,429 --> 00:09:01,540 Speaker 1: feeling the whole day and I'll end up procrastinating. Everything 125 00:09:01,580 --> 00:09:04,720 Speaker 1: just feels heavier and harder than it needs to be. 126 00:09:05,140 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 1: But that morning, because I felt lighter, I started doing 127 00:09:08,320 --> 00:09:11,960 Speaker 1: things I hadn't even planned. I stopped by the grocery store, 128 00:09:12,000 --> 00:09:15,589 Speaker 1: picked up some mangoes. I texted a friend to recommend 129 00:09:15,640 --> 00:09:20,110 Speaker 1: my physical therapist, which she really appreciated. And I finally 130 00:09:20,150 --> 00:09:23,410 Speaker 1: boxed up a small rug I'd been putting off on returning. 131 00:09:24,110 --> 00:09:27,210 Speaker 1: And later when I drove to my son's cross-country race, 132 00:09:27,270 --> 00:09:29,380 Speaker 1: I thought, hey, let me just go a little earlier 133 00:09:29,460 --> 00:09:32,699 Speaker 1: and I can take a short, slow walk while I 134 00:09:32,740 --> 00:09:35,719 Speaker 1: was there. Not because I think I should, but I 135 00:09:35,760 --> 00:09:40,170 Speaker 1: actually felt like I wanted to. friend, isn't it interesting 136 00:09:40,330 --> 00:09:44,780 Speaker 1: how different our choices can become when we feel better, 137 00:09:45,300 --> 00:09:47,760 Speaker 1: when we just focus on what we can do today? 138 00:09:48,780 --> 00:09:50,880 Speaker 1: You know, all those worries I woke up with, they 139 00:09:50,900 --> 00:09:54,830 Speaker 1: weren't solved. My ankle wasn't suddenly feeling better, and I 140 00:09:54,870 --> 00:09:57,969 Speaker 1: still hadn't figured out my empty nest phase next year. 141 00:09:57,990 --> 00:10:02,440 Speaker 1: But I felt different. I didn't need to solve every 142 00:10:02,500 --> 00:10:07,160 Speaker 1: worried thought. How I felt changed because I started focusing 143 00:10:07,260 --> 00:10:10,620 Speaker 1: on giving attention to things that I can attend to 144 00:10:10,780 --> 00:10:13,400 Speaker 1: that day. And so it helped me move through the 145 00:10:13,440 --> 00:10:16,600 Speaker 1: rest of my day with more energy, more peace and freedom. 146 00:10:17,900 --> 00:10:20,750 Speaker 1: So friend, that brings me back to the scripture we 147 00:10:20,790 --> 00:10:25,170 Speaker 1: just breathed in together in our breath prayer. Where the 148 00:10:25,250 --> 00:10:31,850 Speaker 1: Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3, 7. 149 00:10:31,850 --> 00:10:34,670 Speaker 1: We can take the principle that wherever God is and 150 00:10:34,730 --> 00:10:38,880 Speaker 1: His Holy Spirit is, it brings us a life of freedom. 151 00:10:39,620 --> 00:10:42,580 Speaker 1: And that's the picture of our life as we walk 152 00:10:42,820 --> 00:10:46,620 Speaker 1: with Jesus in the power of His Spirit. And I 153 00:10:46,660 --> 00:10:50,420 Speaker 1: think that freedom can shape our thoughts. Freedom means that 154 00:10:50,700 --> 00:10:53,840 Speaker 1: you don't have to obey every worry that comes through 155 00:10:53,860 --> 00:10:57,780 Speaker 1: your mind. It's trying to capture your attention. We can 156 00:10:57,830 --> 00:11:02,530 Speaker 1: have worries. That's kind of normal human part of us. 157 00:11:02,630 --> 00:11:05,230 Speaker 1: We have worries that enter our thoughts, but it's how 158 00:11:05,290 --> 00:11:09,929 Speaker 1: we respond. We want to have the freedom, freedom to respond. 159 00:11:10,809 --> 00:11:13,990 Speaker 1: I love also how in that same 2 Corinthians passage, 160 00:11:14,070 --> 00:11:17,849 Speaker 1: the Apostle Paul says, Not that we're sufficient in ourselves 161 00:11:18,530 --> 00:11:22,200 Speaker 1: to claim anything's coming from us, but our sufficiency is 162 00:11:22,280 --> 00:11:26,440 Speaker 1: from God. I think that's really powerful when we think 163 00:11:26,540 --> 00:11:29,439 Speaker 1: about how that applies to our worries. You know, we're 164 00:11:29,480 --> 00:11:31,940 Speaker 1: not adequate to try to fight off all the worries. 165 00:11:32,540 --> 00:11:36,100 Speaker 1: What God is saying is, He's got us. We don't 166 00:11:36,140 --> 00:11:38,439 Speaker 1: have to feel guilty that we worry. We just can 167 00:11:38,500 --> 00:11:44,140 Speaker 1: respond by walking with Jesus into our day. Now, after 168 00:11:44,179 --> 00:11:46,240 Speaker 1: the break, we're going to look at the science behind 169 00:11:46,320 --> 00:11:51,240 Speaker 1: why shifting our attention towards something that's present and positive 170 00:11:51,320 --> 00:11:56,679 Speaker 1: and actionable can actually change our emotional experience. And we'll 171 00:11:56,720 --> 00:12:10,990 Speaker 1: be right back. So what does science tell us about worry? 172 00:12:11,890 --> 00:12:18,350 Speaker 1: There's a term that researchers use. It's called preservative cognition. 173 00:12:19,150 --> 00:12:24,630 Speaker 1: It describes repetitive thinking about stressors, especially when worry is 174 00:12:24,670 --> 00:12:28,699 Speaker 1: in the future or we ruminate about the past. What 175 00:12:28,740 --> 00:12:32,120 Speaker 1: makes this important is that the stressful event doesn't even 176 00:12:32,179 --> 00:12:35,520 Speaker 1: have to be happening right now, but our bodies will 177 00:12:35,580 --> 00:12:38,380 Speaker 1: respond to it. The stress levels will go up so 178 00:12:38,400 --> 00:12:41,020 Speaker 1: that what-if scenario that we're thinking about in the future 179 00:12:41,610 --> 00:12:44,650 Speaker 1: Even though it hasn't happened yet, we will still feel 180 00:12:44,730 --> 00:12:49,270 Speaker 1: stressed or anxious thinking about that worry. Our thoughts can 181 00:12:49,790 --> 00:12:53,710 Speaker 1: mentally represent the stressor, and that is what kicks off 182 00:12:53,750 --> 00:12:58,750 Speaker 1: that stress response. But here's the good news. Researchers also 183 00:12:58,850 --> 00:13:04,110 Speaker 1: study something called attentional deployment. It's the idea that where 184 00:13:04,170 --> 00:13:10,790 Speaker 1: we direct our attention can influence our emotional experience. Instead 185 00:13:10,830 --> 00:13:15,110 Speaker 1: of continuing to worry about why we're worrying, we can 186 00:13:15,170 --> 00:13:20,420 Speaker 1: deliberately place our attention on something else that's actually present. Now, 187 00:13:20,440 --> 00:13:24,219 Speaker 1: there's three areas that I want to direct your attention to. 188 00:13:24,880 --> 00:13:29,860 Speaker 1: What's something that might be productive that you can do? Second, 189 00:13:30,179 --> 00:13:34,700 Speaker 1: what's something that's beautiful or positive that you can notice? 190 00:13:35,880 --> 00:13:40,890 Speaker 1: And third, what's something immediate or concrete That's a step 191 00:13:41,170 --> 00:13:44,440 Speaker 1: right in front of you. Those are the three areas 192 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:48,580 Speaker 1: because research in emotional regulation has found that when we 193 00:13:49,080 --> 00:13:56,920 Speaker 1: intentionally direct our attention towards positive experiences, it can help 194 00:13:57,160 --> 00:14:01,960 Speaker 1: us release those positive hormones and we quiet the stress response. 195 00:14:02,000 --> 00:14:06,050 Speaker 1: We turn it off. Our bodies will start responding to 196 00:14:06,110 --> 00:14:10,880 Speaker 1: the positive actions we can take. even before we take them. 197 00:14:12,000 --> 00:14:14,770 Speaker 1: You see how that works? So friend, you may not 198 00:14:15,150 --> 00:14:17,849 Speaker 1: be able to solve the worry in the moment. I 199 00:14:17,910 --> 00:14:21,410 Speaker 1: can't either. But we can shift our attention towards something 200 00:14:21,470 --> 00:14:26,490 Speaker 1: that's actually present. Okay, something productive that we can do, 201 00:14:27,030 --> 00:14:31,200 Speaker 1: something beautiful or positive, or just a concrete step we 202 00:14:31,240 --> 00:14:34,660 Speaker 1: can take that's actionable. Just even thinking about it, you're 203 00:14:34,680 --> 00:14:39,050 Speaker 1: going to start feeling energized, and that worry fog will 204 00:14:39,140 --> 00:14:43,600 Speaker 1: start to lift. Now, here's the soul care action I 205 00:14:43,640 --> 00:14:46,560 Speaker 1: want you to take this week. Whenever you notice your 206 00:14:46,620 --> 00:14:50,260 Speaker 1: mind is getting pulled into worry, okay, maybe it's like 207 00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:54,150 Speaker 1: a brainstorm of worry or an explosion of worries, just 208 00:14:54,170 --> 00:14:57,290 Speaker 1: like it happened to me, just pause and ask, where 209 00:14:57,650 --> 00:15:01,150 Speaker 1: is my attention? Okay, if it's something in the past 210 00:15:01,770 --> 00:15:05,010 Speaker 1: or something in the future, you know This is your 211 00:15:05,120 --> 00:15:10,300 Speaker 1: opportunity to use this technique, this practice. Turn your attention 212 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:15,680 Speaker 1: back to today. Okay, three areas. What's something I can 213 00:15:15,720 --> 00:15:20,740 Speaker 1: do that's productive? A small thing you can actually complete today. 214 00:15:21,660 --> 00:15:25,780 Speaker 1: So send that email, make that appointment, fold that laundry, 215 00:15:26,340 --> 00:15:29,640 Speaker 1: clear one surface. I don't know what that one thing 216 00:15:29,760 --> 00:15:32,040 Speaker 1: is that would be productive for you that you can 217 00:15:32,080 --> 00:15:39,990 Speaker 1: accomplish today. Second is choose something beautiful or positive. You 218 00:15:40,010 --> 00:15:43,070 Speaker 1: can step outside, look at the trees, put some flowers 219 00:15:43,150 --> 00:15:47,270 Speaker 1: on the table, listen to a song you love. Or third, 220 00:15:47,410 --> 00:15:51,740 Speaker 1: something you can do immediately, a step that's concrete. Make 221 00:15:51,770 --> 00:15:56,040 Speaker 1: your coffee, take your shower, chop some fruit, take a 222 00:15:56,120 --> 00:16:00,120 Speaker 1: short walk. The point isn't to distract yourself from life. 223 00:16:00,140 --> 00:16:05,480 Speaker 1: You're not ignoring concerns. It's giving your brain something real, present, 224 00:16:05,860 --> 00:16:10,520 Speaker 1: life-giving to attend to instead of feeding a worry you 225 00:16:10,580 --> 00:16:13,060 Speaker 1: can't solve right now. Because when you do that, you 226 00:16:13,280 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 1: start making choices in the present, start something productive, beautiful, positive, 227 00:16:19,060 --> 00:16:22,060 Speaker 1: or immediate and concrete. Guess what? Your body lets go 228 00:16:22,080 --> 00:16:25,980 Speaker 1: of that stress response and you feel more energized. Then 229 00:16:26,020 --> 00:16:30,470 Speaker 1: you have a different perspective and have more energy and 230 00:16:30,490 --> 00:16:35,840 Speaker 1: the Holy Spirit will empower you. Dear Jesus, help me 231 00:16:36,280 --> 00:16:40,320 Speaker 1: to return to what is true, present, and mine to 232 00:16:40,360 --> 00:16:44,080 Speaker 1: do today. Give me wisdom to act where I can 233 00:16:44,460 --> 00:16:48,860 Speaker 1: and freedom to release what I cannot control. Leave my 234 00:16:48,880 --> 00:16:54,040 Speaker 1: attention toward what gives me peace and life. Because where 235 00:16:54,140 --> 00:16:59,160 Speaker 1: you are, your spirit is, there is freedom. Amen. Well, friend, 236 00:16:59,280 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 1: has this episode encouraged you? Is there a friend you 237 00:17:03,480 --> 00:17:07,680 Speaker 1: can share this episode with to encourage her? I'd love 238 00:17:07,700 --> 00:17:10,590 Speaker 1: to ask a favor. Would you leave a rating or 239 00:17:10,640 --> 00:17:15,050 Speaker 1: review wherever you're listening to this podcast? Your words really 240 00:17:15,150 --> 00:17:18,410 Speaker 1: help this ministry so it can reach more women's hands 241 00:17:18,670 --> 00:17:24,790 Speaker 1: and hearts. Come over and say hello on Instagram at TheBonnieGreat. Remember, 242 00:17:24,850 --> 00:17:28,970 Speaker 1: you're loved. You're cherished. Just rest. And I'll see you 243 00:17:28,990 --> 00:17:37,430 Speaker 1: next time. Breathe, the Stress Less podcast is a production 244 00:17:37,490 --> 00:17:40,429 Speaker 1: of Life Audio and Salem Media. If you liked what 245 00:17:40,450 --> 00:17:42,689 Speaker 1: you heard today, please take a second to rate and 246 00:17:42,730 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 1: review this podcast in your favorite podcast app so that 247 00:17:46,320 --> 00:17:48,200 Speaker 1: more listeners like you can find the show. 248 00:17:48,980 --> 00:17:53,060 Speaker 2: For more faith-filled, inspirational podcasts, visit us at lifeaudio.com.