
Breathe: The Stress Less Podcast
Bonnie GrayHow to Stop Replaying Negative Thoughts (And Choose Prayerful Optimism Instead) #207
April 13, 2026 ● 18 minShare this episode
Do you keep replaying something in your mind… wishing you had done it differently?
Maybe it’s a conversation, a decision, or a moment you regret. And no matter how much you think about it, you can’t seem to find peace.
In this episode, Bonnie shares a personal story about a stressful experience that caught her in a loop of replaying negative thoughts, and how she moved from anxiety into calm, hopeful action.
You’ll discover why replaying negative thoughts increases stress and keeps you stuck—and how choosing prayerful optimism can free you to a healthier perspective.
If you’ve been stuck replaying something from the past, this episode will help you release regret, feel supported by God’s presence, and take your next step forward with peace.
Key Takeaways
Why replaying negative thoughts keeps you stuck in stress
How “prayerful optimism” shifts your perspective without ignoring reality
What science says about rumination and emotional well-being
How imagining Jesus with you creates safety and clarity
A simple practice to interrupt replay loops and return to peace
Breath Prayer
Inhale: I cast my anxiety on You…
Exhale: Because You care for me…
Scripture
“Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
— 1 Peter 5:7
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Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Jesus to Calm the Storms of Life - Your Daily Prayer - May 15
We are so similar to the Twelve Disciples. When a storm comes upon us, we instantly doubt the Lord. Rather than doubting Jesus, we must trust Him. Just as He calms the roaring waters, He can also calm the storms of our lives.
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