In today’s episode of Hope in the Fire, Leslie opens her heart to share her personal adoption story and the profound spiritual truth of being adopted into the family of God through Jesus Christ.

Drawing from Ephesians 1:4–5, Leslie explains how adoption isn’t just a legal process—it’s a divine act of love. For women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, questions of belonging, worth, and identity often run deep. Trauma can leave lasting wounds marked by shame, secrecy, fear, and broken trust.

Through her own story—being adopted as an infant, experiencing abuse later in life, and ultimately finding healing through Christ—Leslie offers hope to women who feel disconnected or unloved. She shares how surrendering her life to Jesus became a turning point, allowing her to experience forgiveness, restoration, and true belonging.

This episode gently reminds listeners that no matter what their past holds, God chose them in love and invites them into His family—where healing, grace, and community are possible.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• What the Bible says about adoption and identity in Christ
• How childhood abuse can impact belonging and trust
• Why spiritual adoption matters for trauma survivors
• Three practical steps to begin your healing journey today
• How faith, community, and Scripture support long-term healing

Resources & Next Steps:

If you’re longing for clarity, healing, or support, Leslie would love to walk alongside you. 👉 Schedule a CLARITY COACHING CALL.

>>Grab your set of “My Identity In Christ” reflection cards.https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/identitycards

🔗 Connect with Me: >> Visit https://lesliechermak.com/work-with-leslie/ for more support.

>> I’ll meet you in your inbox on Fridays! https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/newsletter

In today's episode Leslie shares her real and raw story of her own experience with abortion. Through the cross of Jesus and the forgiveness of sin, she has overcome the shame of the horrific events.

She encourages her listeners that God loves them no matter what. Healing is possible.

Scriptures referenced:

Pslam 139:13-16

Luke 1

🔗 Connect with Me:

>> https://lesliechermak.com/contact/

>>Grab your set of “My Identity In Christ” reflection cards.

https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/identitycards

>> Take this FREE quiz: Reclaiming Your Life: A Biblical Wellness Quiz for Childhood Trauma Survivors

>> Take a deeper dive discovering your purpose: Ignite Your Purpose and learn how to think through God's Word in this self paced online course.

>> I’ll meet you in your inbox on Fridays!

https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/newsletter

Music score: Kevin Manthei Music

This time of year often stirs deep questions about purpose.

As the holidays fade and a new year approaches, many women begin to wonder if there is more — more meaning, more clarity, more of who God created them to be. But these questions don’t only come at the end of the year. They surface when seasons change, when children grow up, when trauma lingers, or when God gently calls us forward.

In this episode, Leslie shares her own journey into purpose, how God expanded her calling over time, and why healing is often the doorway to clarity. You’ll hear about the heart behind Ignite Your Purpose and how renewing your mind through God’s Word can help you step into your next season with peace, confidence, and faith.

This episode is for the woman who senses God is inviting her into something deeper — and wants to respond without fear.

Key Topics Covered

• Purpose transitions and identity shifts • Why seasons of questioning are holy ground • How trauma can cloud clarity • God’s timing and gentle calling • Renewing your mind through biblical truth • Healing as preparation for purpose • Overview of Ignite Your Purpose

Scriptures Referenced

• Romans 12:2
• Psalm 139:13–14
• Jeremiah 29:11

Next Steps

Learn more about Ignite Your Purpose: Transform How You Think Through God’s Word https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/igniteyourpurposethroughgodsword

>>Grab your set of “My Identity In Christ” reflection cards. https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/identitycards/checkout

🔗 Connect with Me: >> https://lesliechermak.com/work-with-leslie/ for more support.

>> Take this FREE quiz: Reclaiming Your Life: A Biblical Wellness Quiz for Childhood Trauma Survivors

Music score: Kevin Manthei Music

Following through on goals isn’t about willpower — it’s about courage, healing, and alignment.

In this episode, we explore why following through feels so difficult for women who have experienced trauma, and how faith and neuroscience work together to help us move forward even when fear is present.

You’ll learn how your nervous system impacts motivation, how God designed your body to support courage, and why small, faithful steps create lasting transformation. We talk about replacing fear-based patterns with truth, regulating stress, and building sustainable rhythms that support obedience and peace.

This episode is for the woman who knows God is calling her forward — but needs support to take the next step.

Key Topics Covered

• Why follow-through feels hard after trauma • How fear lives in the nervous system • Biblical courage vs. cultural courage • Small steps that build sustainable faith • Practical tools for courage and consistency • Faith, neuroscience, and obedience • How God rewires the brain through truth

Scriptures Referenced

• Joshua 1:9
• Romans 12:2
• Proverbs 3:5–6

Next Steps

If fear has been running the show, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Learn more about Ignite Your Purpose.

>> Take a deeper dive discovering your purpose: Ignite Your Purpose and learn how to think through God's Word in this self paced online program.

>>Grab your set of “My Identity In Christ" reflection cards.

https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/identitycards

🔗 Connect with Me:

>> Visit https://lesliechermak.com/work-with-leslie/ for more support.

>> Take this FREE quiz: Reclaiming Your Life: A Biblical Wellness Quiz for Childhood Trauma Survivors

Waking up with purpose can feel impossible when trauma, stress, and old memories still live in the body. In this episode, we explore how God designed the body, brain, and spirit to work together for healing and resilience. You’ll learn how the gut–brain connection influences mood, anxiety, and stress response, why nourishment and hydration matter spiritually and neurologically, and how small morning habits can help interrupt old trauma-driven thought patterns. This episode blends biblical truth, neuroscience, and practical tools to help you step into purpose—even on heavy days.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why purpose is not just spiritual but neurological and physical
• How trauma wires the nervous system—and how healing rewires it
• What the gut–brain connection is and why it matters for emotional health
• What GABA is and how it supports calm and emotional regulation
• How nutrition and hydration affect mood, anxiety, and resilience
• Why self-stewardship is an act of spiritual alignment
• Simple morning practices to interrupt stress cycles
• How supporting the body helps renew the mind

Scripture Anchors

• Romans 12:2
• Proverbs 4:23
• John 10:10
• Psalm 139:14

Resources Mentioned

✨ Free Gut Health Reset Guide for Women

🔗 Connect with Me:

>> Visit https://lesliechermak.com/work-with-leslie/ for more support.

>> Take this FREE quiz: Reclaiming Your Life: A Biblical Wellness Quiz for Childhood Trauma Survivors

>> Take a deeper dive discovering your purpose: Ignite Your Purpose and learn how to think through God's Word in this self paced online course.

This time of year always brings up emotions and feelings that either hold you back or move you forward. Why not this be the year where you can truly dream?

In This Episode: ✓ Why the end of the year is the perfect time to dream with God ✓ How negative self-talk steals clarity ✓ The 5-step God-led goal-setting process you can start today ✓ Scriptures to anchor your mind ✓ How to prepare your heart for 2026

Scriptures Mentioned: • Proverbs 3:5–6 • Psalm 37:23–24 • Psalm 119:105 • Psalm 16:7–11

>>Grab your set of “My Identity In Christ Cards”

https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/identitycards

🔗 Connect with Me:

>> Visit https://lesliechermak.com/work-with-leslie/ for more support.

>> Take a deeper dive discovering your purpose: Ignite Your Purpose and learn how to think through God's Word in this self paced online course.

>> I’ll meet you in your inbox on Fridays!

https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/newsletter

Music score: Kevin Manthei Music

In this pre-Thanksgiving episode, Leslie offers a heartfelt message to women who find the holidays emotionally challenging—especially survivors of childhood trauma. She shares her own journey of learning to show up differently during family gatherings, how surrendering her own expectations helped her find peace, and how Jesus brought restoration and freedom from painful memories.

You'll also learn a simple but powerful gratitude and grounding exercise you can use anytime to reset your attitude, calm your nervous system, and reconnect with God’s presence. Leslie closes with a prayer of peace, protection, and joy for your upcoming holiday gatherings.

In This Episode You’ll Hear:

• Why the holidays can be difficult for trauma survivors
• Leslie’s personal story of shifting from dread to joy during family gatherings
• A mindset shift that helps you stay centered in gratitude
• A calming breathing method to help regulate your emotions
• A grounding exercise that brings you back into peace and presence
• Encouragement for women walking into tender family dynamics
• A prayer covering your heart, your memories, and your holiday week

Who This Episode Is For: Women healing from childhood trauma • Christian women • Moms navigating emotional triggers • Anyone feeling overwhelmed heading into Thanksgiving • Anyone seeking hope, peace, and grounding during the holidays

Resources Mentioned:

• Breathing + gratitude grounding exercise
• Scripture-based encouragement
• Hope in the Fire podcast community

🔗 Connect with Me:

>> Visit https://lesliechermak.com/work-with-leslie/ for more support.

>> 5 Simple Steps to Becoming An Overcomer: https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/overcomer

>> Take this FREE quiz: Reclaiming Your Life: A Biblical Wellness Quiz for Childhood Trauma Survivors

>> Take a deeper dive discovering your purpose: Ignite Your Purpose and learn how to think through God's Word in this self paced online course.

>> I’ll meet you in your inbox on Fridays!

https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/newsletter

Music score: Kevin Manthei Music

In this heartfelt episode, Leslie opens up about her mother’s legacy of faith and the powerful lessons she discovered while reading through her journals and Bibles after her passing.

Life’s trials can shake us to our core, but they can also become sacred training grounds for the future God has planned for us. Through personal reflection and her mother’s timeless wisdom, Leslie reminds us that:

• Adversity is one of God’s most effective tools for strengthening our faith.
• When God allows adversity, it’s never to hurt us, but to help us.
• We are never alone—He promises to never leave or forsake us.

If you’re walking through loss, pain, or uncertainty, this episode will help you find purpose in the middle of your storm and hope in the fire.

🎁 Free Resource: Download Leslie’s “5 Steps to Becoming an Overcomer” — a simple, faith-based guide to help you reclaim your identity in Christ and walk forward in healing. 👉 https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/overcomer

📖 Scripture to Reflect On:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” — Romans 8:28

✨ Takeaway: Your trials are not the end of your story—they are training you for the purpose God created you for.