Have you been pushing through something important… but without joy?

Sometimes we do all the right things — show up, work hard, stay responsible — and yet something still feels heavy. What if joy isn’t a luxury add-on to life, but a signal your soul needs to pay attention to?

In this episode, Bonnie shares the powerful story behind Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu’s decision to step away from skating — and how her return reveals something essential about wellness. Together, we explore what Psalm 23 teaches about restoration, why joy matters more than achievement, and how returning to “green pastures” can change the way you make decisions.

You’ll also learn how singing familiar hymns can calm your nervous system and become a simple, powerful practice for peace.



Key Takeaways
 Why joy is not optional for true wellness
 How striving without joy increases emotional burden
 What science says about joy, singing, and nervous system regulation
 A simple question that can help you rediscover your “green pastures”


 Breath Prayer
Inhale: The Lord is my Shepherd…
Exhale: I shall not be in want…

 Scripture

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside quiet waters.”
— Psalm 23:1–2

  → Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:

  Lent Wellness Study (Seasonal Offering)

A 6-Week Healing Renewal For Your Heart With Jesus in His Love
Register at https://soulcareschool.mykajabi.com/offers/mqr8VY2X/checkout

 Breathe Rest with Jesus:
A Loving Course to Create Wellness Rhythms of Peace with God’s Promises

Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-breatherest/

Breathe Joy with Jesus:
Create Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/

Praying the Psalms for Wellness:

A Life-giving 8-Week Wellness Course to Release Stress, Renew Peace & Find Rest for Your Hear
Register at https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-prayingpsalms/

Alysa Liu Interview Quotes

US Figure Skating: https://usfigureskating.org/news/2026/2/20/national-team-figure-skating-liu-reigns-golden-in-milan.aspx#:~:text=I%20want%20to%20be%20a,I'm%20super%20stoked%20for%20that.%22

USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/19/alysa-liu-gold-medal-win-figure-skating-life-story/88768898007/

  → 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

 Follow Bonnie on Instagram & Facebook:
@thebonniegray

 

Have you been pushing through something important&hellip; but without joy? Sometimes we do all the right things &mdash; show up, work hard, stay responsible &mdash; and yet something still feels heavy. What if joy isn&rsquo;t a luxury add-on to life, but a signal your soul needs to pay attention to? In this episode, Bonnie shares the powerful story behind Olympic gold medalist Alysa Liu&rsquo;s decision to step away from skating &mdash; and how her return reveals something essential about wellness. Together, we explore what Psalm 23 teaches about restoration, why joy matters more than achievement, and how returning to &ldquo;green pastures&rdquo; can change the way you make decisions. You&rsquo;ll also learn how singing familiar hymns can calm your nervous system and become a simple, powerful practice for peace. 
Key Takeaways &nbsp;Why joy is not optional for true wellness &nbsp;How striving without joy increases emotional burden &nbsp;What science says about joy, singing, and nervous system regulation &nbsp;A simple question that can help you rediscover your &ldquo;green pastures&rdquo;
 &nbsp;Breath Prayer Inhale: The Lord is my Shepherd&hellip; Exhale: I shall not be in want&hellip; &nbsp;Scripture
&ldquo;The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside quiet waters.&rdquo; &mdash; Psalm 23:1&ndash;2
&nbsp;&nbsp;&rarr;&nbsp;Take Bonnie's Soul Care Courses:
&nbsp;&nbsp;Lent Wellness Study (Seasonal Offering)
A 6-Week Healing Renewal For Your Heart With Jesus in His Love Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://soulcareschool.mykajabi.com/offers/mqr8VY2X/checkout" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://soulcareschool.mykajabi.com/offers/mqr8VY2X/checkout&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2_7QUQq5XIVD2yrYRT6shk">https://soulcareschool.mykajabi.com/offers/mqr8VY2X/checkout</a>
&nbsp;Breathe Rest with Jesus: A Loving Course to Create Wellness Rhythms of Peace with God&rsquo;s Promises
Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-breatherest/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-breatherest/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3sYOAkibS8SE_PTK1uE12J">https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-breatherest/</a>
Breathe Joy with Jesus: Create&nbsp;Happy Wellness Rhythms to Cultivate Joy with God's Promises Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1wre9W8Aqp3kmcjsIj-0cW">https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool/</a> Praying the Psalms for Wellness: A Life-giving 8-Week Wellness Course to Release Stress, Renew Peace &amp; Find Rest for Your Hear Register at&nbsp;<a href="https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-prayingpsalms/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-prayingpsalms/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0wsmpQpyk6wBzCUw5vi9Es">https://thebonniegray.com/soulcareschool-prayingpsalms/</a>
Alysa Liu Interview Quotes US Figure Skating:&nbsp;<a href="https://usfigureskating.org/news/2026/2/20/national-team-figure-skating-liu-reigns-golden-in-milan.aspx#:~:text=I%20want%20to%20be%20a,I'm%20super%20stoked%20for%20that.%22" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://usfigureskating.org/news/2026/2/20/national-team-figure-skating-liu-reigns-golden-in-milan.aspx%23:~:text%3DI%2520want%2520to%2520be%2520a,I'm%2520super%2520stoked%2520for%2520that.%2522&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3I7SK97yltrYiWSD9i9psn">https://usfigureskating.org/news/2026/2/20/national-team-figure-skating-liu-reigns-golden-in-milan.aspx#:~:text=I%20want%20to%20be%20a,I'm%20super%20stoked%20for%20that.%22</a>
USA Today:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/19/alysa-liu-gold-medal-win-figure-skating-life-story/88768898007/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/19/alysa-liu-gold-medal-win-figure-skating-life-story/88768898007/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0PnDr0uLUI-IY0GsCpMiSq">https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/olympics/2026/02/19/alysa-liu-gold-medal-win-figure-skating-life-story/88768898007/</a>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&rarr;&nbsp;Take the FREE Soul Care Quiz&nbsp;at&nbsp;<a href="http://soulcarequiz.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://soulcarequiz.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw01K3L2KfkbfbzMgVCHuJKs">soulcarequiz.com</a>
Get your personal wellness assessment and learn which area of soul care you need most.
&nbsp;&rarr;&nbsp;&nbsp;Eucalyptus Shower Steamers for instant calm at&nbsp;<a href="https://amzn.to/488VVBI" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/488VVBI&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0k8fysNQ8qUI68bdavOSvN">Bonnie's Soul Care Store</a>
&nbsp;&nbsp;Join the Soul Care Newsletter: <a href="https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3gC6gD7WX6PXSFybtfzg1K">https://thebonniegray.com/subscribe</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;Watch YouTube Devotionals: <a href="https://youtube.com/thebonniegray" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://youtube.com/thebonniegray&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2QxG4BtPlfgbFGlOPv9SHu">https://youtube.com/thebonniegray</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;Bestselling Books by Bonnie: <a href="https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1771901300415000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2G2OTh3iVIwOOewsjeRXR4">https://amzn.to/3NpVYQd</a> &nbsp;Follow Bonnie on Instagram &amp; Facebook: @thebonniegray
&nbsp;

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast hosted by Christian author Bonnie Gray is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less, take better care of yourself, and create new rhythms to rest in daily life.

Here are some topics covered in this podcast: 

🌸 Feeling Anxious? Cast Your Cares on God Because He Cares For You
🌸 3 Ways to Break Free from Stress, Worry & Anxiety
🌸 How to Say No to Fear & Yes to God PLUS What's the Difference Between Secular & Biblical Meditation?
🌸 Is It Burnout Or Is God Stretching You? 4 Signs to Know the Difference PLUS 4 Mental Health Benefits of Stories
🌸 3 Surprising Ways to Stop Overthinking, Improve Your Mood During the Day, & Get the Sleep Your Body Needs
🌸 The Antidote to Stress & Fatigue + The Surprising Causes – Plus Raising Stress-Resilient Kids

FOLLOW BONNIE:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebonniegray
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thebonniegray
Her site: http://www.thebonniegray.com

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast hosted by Christian author Bonnie Gray is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less, take better care of yourself, and create new rhythms to rest in daily life.
Here are some topics covered in this podcast: 
🌸 Feeling Anxious? Cast Your Cares on God Because He Cares For You 🌸 3 Ways to Break Free from Stress, Worry &amp; Anxiety 🌸 How to Say No to Fear &amp; Yes to God PLUS What's the Difference Between Secular &amp; Biblical Meditation? 🌸 Is It Burnout Or Is God Stretching You? 4 Signs to Know the Difference PLUS 4 Mental Health Benefits of Stories 🌸 3 Surprising Ways to Stop Overthinking, Improve Your Mood During the Day, &amp; Get the Sleep Your Body Needs 🌸 The Antidote to Stress &amp; Fatigue + The Surprising Causes – Plus Raising Stress-Resilient Kids
FOLLOW BONNIE: Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/thebonniegray">https://instagram.com/thebonniegray</a> Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/thebonniegray">https://facebook.com/thebonniegray</a> Her site: <a href="http://www.thebonniegray.com/">http://www.thebonniegray.com</a>

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less,...

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast hosted by Christian author Bonnie Gray is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less, take better care of yourself, and create new rhythms to rest in daily life.

Here are some topics covered in this podcast: 
Ways to Eliminate Anxiety & Cast Your Cares on God 
Tips to Break Free from Stress, Worry & Anxiety
Recommendations on How to Say No to Fear & Yes to God
Ways to Raise Stress-Resilient Kids
Mental Health Benefits of Stories of Stories & Activities 
Surprising Ways to Stop Overthinking
Tips to Improve Your Mood During the Day & Get the Sleep Your Body Needs
The Difference Between Secular & Biblical Meditation
The Difference Between Burnout & God Stretching You
The Antidote to Stress & Fatigue + The Surprising Causes 

FOLLOW BONNIE:
Instagram: https://instagram.com/thebonniegray
Facebook: https://facebook.com/thebonniegray
Her site: http://www.thebonniegray.com 

Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast hosted by Christian author Bonnie Gray is dedicated to refreshing your soul with rest and sparking joy, so you can feel God’s love and peace. We'll walk you through scientific, scripture-backed methods of restoring calm, in order to help you stress less, take better care of yourself, and create new rhythms to rest in daily life.
Here are some topics covered in this podcast: 
<ul>
<li>Ways to Eliminate Anxiety &amp; Cast Your Cares on God </li>
<li>Tips to Break Free from Stress, Worry &amp; Anxiety</li>
<li>Recommendations on How to Say No to Fear &amp; Yes to God</li>
<li>Ways to Raise Stress-Resilient Kids</li>
<li>Mental Health Benefits of Stories of Stories &amp; Activities </li>
<li>Surprising Ways to Stop Overthinking</li>
<li>Tips to Improve Your Mood During the Day &amp; Get the Sleep Your Body Needs</li>
<li>The Difference Between Secular &amp; Biblical Meditation</li>
<li>The Difference Between Burnout &amp; God Stretching You</li>
<li>The Antidote to Stress &amp; Fatigue + The Surprising Causes </li>
</ul>
FOLLOW BONNIE: Instagram: <a href="https://instagram.com/thebonniegray">https://instagram.com/thebonniegray</a> Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/thebonniegray">https://facebook.com/thebonniegray</a> Her site: <a href="http://www.thebonniegray.com/">http://www.thebonniegray.com </a>

The Surprising Path Back to Joy #201

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/b9df1de4-f257-4533-94ae-b3fa002e6545/transcript