Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast

Have you ever felt like you signed up for one thing... only to find yourself on a completely different path?
Maybe you thought a challenge would last a few weeks, but it turned into months. Maybe you expected life to move in one direction, and suddenly everything changed.
In this episode, Bonnie shares a remarkable story about a race that went unexpectedly off course—and the surprising lesson it taught her about trusting God through uncertainty. You'll learn one of the most important keys to emotional wellness and resilience during difficult seasons based on research in psychology—and it may surprise you.
If you're facing a setback, disappointment, delay, health challenge, or season of unexpected change, this episode will encourage you to keep moving forward with Jesus one step at a time.

Key Takeaways

— What to do when life doesn't go according to plan
— Why unexpected detours don't mean you're on the wrong path
— How to keep moving forward when a challenge lasts longer than expected
— The difference between resilience and simply trying harder
— Why support and connection are essential for emotional wellness
— How asking for prayer can strengthen you during difficult seasons
— A simple soul care practice to help you stop running alone

Breath Prayer
Inhale: Let us run with endurance
Exhale: Looking to Jesus

Scripture
"Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith." Hebrews 12:1–2

→ CNN: "9-year-old accidentally won a 10K race"
https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/01/us/runner-misses-turn-wins-race-trnd
→ Free Devotional Gift
Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/
Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.
→ Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
→ Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever found yourself waiting for one more sign from God?
One more confirmation? One more reassurance? One more reason to feel certain before moving forward.

In this episode, Bonnie shares a deeply personal story about one of the hardest decisions she's made in recent years and a surprising discovery about finding peace rather than more answers.

You'll discover why indecision can quietly drain your emotional energy and why letting go of even something beautiful may sometimes be part of stepping into a new season with Jesus.

If you've been wrestling with a decision, waiting for more confirmation, or feeling stuck between staying and moving forward, this episode will encourage you to trust God's leading and find peace in the next step.

Key Takeaways
— Why indecision can quietly drain your emotional energy
— The difference between having peace in your mind and experiencing peace in your soul
— How to recognize when God may be inviting you to take a step of faith
— What Isaiah 43 teaches us about God's new work in our lives
— The psychology of "flow" and why losing track of time can be a sign of greater wellbeing
— A simple soul care practice to help you create space for peace

Breath Prayer
Inhale: See, I am doing a new thing
Exhale: Do you not perceive it?

Scripture
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19

→ Free Devotional Gift
Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/

Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.
→ Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
Take the FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.comGet your personal wellness assessment and learn which area of soul care you need most.
→ Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
Join the Soul Care Newsletter:
https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe

Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Do you know God loves you… but somehow you don’t always feel it?
You know you’re valuable to God. Yet when it’s time to set boundaries, pursue what brings you joy, take care of yourself, or believe your needs matter, you hesitate. Why?
In this episode, Bonnie explores why knowing the truth in your head isn’t always enough to change how you feel about yourself. Through personal story, the power of labels, and scripture, you’ll discover how self-doubt often grows from identities we’ve accepted that were never meant to define us.
You’ll learn how God reshapes your identity, why self-affirmation research matters, and a simple soul care practice to live with more confidence.
If you’ve ever struggled to feel confident, worthy, beautiful, or enough, this episode will help you.
Key Takeaways
- Why knowing God loves you isn’t always the same as feeling loved
- How labels shape self-doubt and confidence
- Why God renames people throughout Scripture
- What science says about self-affirmation and emotional resilience
- How embracing God’s delight can transform your wellness - A practical exercise to help you break free of self-doubt & experience your God-given identity
Breath Prayer
Inhale: You will be called My Delight
Exhale: The Lord delights in you
Scripture
“You will no longer be called Forsaken…but you will be called My Delight…for the Lord delights in you.” Isaiah 62:4
“To him who overcomes…I will give him a white stone and a new name written on the stone.” Rev 2:17

→ 🎁 Free Devotional Gift
✨ Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/
Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.

→ Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
✨ Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
✨ Breathe Rest with Jesus:
A Loving Course to Create Wellness Rhythms of Peace with God’s Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-breatherest/
✨ Praying the Psalms for Wellness:
A Lifegiving 8-Week Wellness Course to Release Stress, Renew Peace & Find Rest for Your Heart
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-prayingpsalms/
✅ Take the FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.com
Get your personal wellness assessment and learn which area of soul care you need most.
🛍️ → Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
💌 Join the Soul Care Newsletter:
https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe
🎥 Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray
📚 Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you had one of those weeks where everything seems to pile up at once?

Unexpected stress. Health worries. Financial pressure. Too many fires to put out. And by the end of the week, your heart just feels tired.

In this episode, Bonnie shares a personal story about a stressful week filled, unexpected expenses, painful health setbacks, and emotional exhaustion—and how Jesus gently met her in the middle of it all.

You’ll discover why hard weeks affect both your emotions and nervous system, how sharing your fears with Jesus brings comfort and safety, and why laughter and moments of joy are actually restorative for your body, mind, and spirit.

If your heart has been feeling weary lately, this episode will help you breathe deeper, feel less alone, and receive the comfort and care Jesus wants to give you right now.

Key Takeaways
- Why hard weeks leave us emotionally and physically drained
- How Jesus meets us gently as our Good Shepherd
- What science says about laughter, stress relief, and nervous system recovery
- Why emotional safety helps us release fear and discouragement
- Simple soul care practices that help your heart rest and recover

Breath Prayer

Inhale: The Lord is my shepherd
Exhale: I shall not want

Inhale: Even though I walk through the valley
Exhale: You are with me

Scripture

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

“I am the good shepherd.” John 10:11

→ Free Devotional Gift
Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/

Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.
→ Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
Breathe Rest with Jesus:
A Loving Course to Create Wellness Rhythms of Peace with God’s Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-breatherest/
Praying the Psalms for Wellness:
A Lifegiving 8-Week Wellness Course to Release Stress, Renew Peace & Find Rest for Your Heart
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-prayingpsalms/
Take the FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.comGet your personal wellness assessment and learn which area of soul care you need most.
→ Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
Join the Soul Care Newsletter:
https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe

Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Have you ever felt suddenly overwhelmed… like your mind won’t stop spinning trying to figure everything out?
Maybe something unexpected happened, and now you feel emotionally exhausted, tense, anxious, or unsure what to do next. The more you try to solve everything, the more overwhelmed you feel.
In this episode, Bonnie shares a personal story about getting caught in a dangerous storm in her life —and how it gave insight into navigating life challenges.

You’ll discover what helps calm your body and emotions and what you can do to meet with Jesus n the middle of uncertainty.

If you’ve been feeling emotionally flooded, weary, or weighed down by stress, this episode will help you breathe deeper, quiet your heart, and experience God’s peace right beside you.

Key Takeaways
- Why overwhelming situations can push your body into stress and survival mode
- How quietness and rest help calm your nervous system

- What science says about chronic noise, stress, and emotional well-being
- Why Jesus offers His presence before He offers explanations

- A simple practice to release stress when life feels uncertain

Breath Prayer
Inhale: Take heart; it is I
Exhale: Do not be afraid

Scripture
“Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
— Mark 6:50

“Even to your old age I will be the same,
And even to your graying years I will carry you!
I have done it, and I will bear you;
And I will carry you and I will save you.”
— Isaiah 46:4

→ Free Devotional Gift
Download your free devotional: Bonnie’s FREE “Find Your Joy with Jesus: A 4-Day Devotional.”
https://thebonniegray.com/findyourjoydevotional/

Prioritize self-care the Jesus way and experience rest, renewal, and encouragement for your soul.
→ Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/
Breathe Rest with Jesus:
A Loving Course to Create Wellness Rhythms of Peace with God’s Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-breatherest/
Praying the Psalms for Wellness:
A Lifegiving 8-Week Wellness Course to Release Stress, Renew Peace & Find Rest for Your Heart
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-prayingpsalms/
Take the FREE Soul Care Quiz at soulcarequiz.comGet your personal wellness assessment and learn which area of soul care you need most.
→ Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at Bonnie's Soul Care Store
Join the Soul Care Newsletter:
https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe

Watch YouTube Devotionals:
https://youtube.com/thebonniegray

Bestselling Books by Bonnie:
https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd
Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.