Is God real? This is a question that gets asked from every woman who has experienced childhood sexual abuse.

In this episode, Leslie touches a deep rooted subject. Shares her own experience of asking God for evidence that He hears her.

In Matthew 5:8 Jesus says, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God." It can be tough when you feel fear, have anger, a lack of trust and so much shame.

But God gives safety to those who trust Him. You can experience peace and joy when you find freedom in Jesus Christ.

Leslie declares God for her life and encourages you to do the same:

God I want to see you. God I want to hear you. God I want to know you. God I want to follow hard after you. Therefore, I'm declaring today, God, you are good. You are good to me and God. You are good at being God. So I'm safe enough to trade my will for thy will, because I'm so confident you will God. Now today give me someone to forgive. Show me someone to bless. Show me evidence all around me of your goodness and faithfulness.

🔗 Connect with Me:

👉 Schedule a Rooted & Risen Coaching Session.

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

Identity In Christ Cards-Teal

Identity In Christ Cards-Mauve

>> Download my free 5 Steps to Becoming An Overcomer

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

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

>> Visit Website: https://lesliechermak.com/

Can what you eat impact your healing journey after childhood sexual abuse? In this episode of Hope in the Fire, we explore the connection between nutrition, emotional health, and trauma recovery. While food doesn’t heal trauma, it can support your body, improve mental clarity, and strengthen your ability to heal.

In This Episode:

• How trauma affects the body and nervous system
• The connection between gut health and emotional healing
• My personal story with food and emotional eating
• A simple, sustainable approach to nutrition
• Biblical perspective on caring for your body
• 3 practical steps to start your health journey today

Resources Mentioned:

• The Biblio Diet by Jordan Rubin

🔗 Connect with Me:

👉 Email: hello@lesliechermak.com

👉 Schedule a Rooted & Risen Coaching Session.

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

Identity In Christ Cards-Teal

Identity In Christ Cards-Mauve

>> Download my free 5 Steps to Becoming An Overcomer

>> Visit https://lesliechermak.com/workwithme for more support.

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

>> Visit Website: https://lesliechermak.com/

Prayer can feel confusing… even distant… especially when your story includes deep wounds like childhood sexual abuse.

In today’s episode, we’re simplifying prayer and bringing it back to what it was always meant to be—a real, honest conversation with God.

If you’ve ever struggled to trust God, open up to Him, or even know what to say, this episode will gently guide you through a simple, powerful framework: ACTS prayer—Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, and Supplication.

This is not about saying the “perfect” words. It’s about showing up authentically, right where you are.

• Why prayer can feel difficult after childhood sexual abuse

• How to talk to God when trust feels broken

• A simple 4-step prayer model (ACTS) anyone can follow

• How to be honest with God—even in pain, anger, or doubt

• What it means to trust a God you cannot see

• How prayer becomes a pathway to healing, not pressure

Adoration – Acknowledge who God is, even when your feelings don’t match Confession – Release what’s been weighing on your heart without shame Thanksgiving – Find gratitude, even in small moments Supplication – Bring your needs, desires, and healing before God

You don’t have to have it all together to come to God. You don’t have to clean yourself up first. You don’t have to use perfect words.

God is not intimidated by your story—He meets you in it.

If this episode spoke to you, I invite you to take one small step today— Spend just a few minutes talking to God using the ACTS model.

And if you’re ready for deeper healing, I’d love to walk alongside you.

👉 Schedule a Rooted & Risen Coaching Session.

If this encouraged you, please share it with another woman who may be walking a similar journey. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review—it helps more women find healing and hope.

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

Identity In Christ Cards-Teal

Identity In Christ Cards-Mauve

>> Download my free 5 Steps to Becoming An Overcomer

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

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

>> Visit Website: https://lesliechermak.com/

What if the biggest battle you face every day… is happening in your mind?

For women who have experienced childhood sexual abuse, the lies can feel overwhelming: “I’m not worthy.” “I’m not loved.” “My life doesn’t matter.”

In this deeply personal and truth-filled episode of Hope in the Fire, we’re talking about how to break free from those destructive thought patterns and replace them with what God says about you.

Because healing doesn’t just happen in your circumstances—it starts in your thoughts.

You’ll learn:

• Why your thoughts shape your identity and your future
• How trauma creates negative thought cycles
• The connection between your thoughts and your physical body
• What the Bible says about renewing your mind
• Practical steps to replace lies with truth starting today

If you’ve ever struggled to believe that God truly loves you… this episode is for you.

You are not your past. You are not the lies. You are who God says you are.

🔑 Key Scriptures:

• Romans 12:2 – Be transformed by the renewing of your mind
• Philippians 4:8 – Think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely

💛 Practical Steps to Renew Your Mind:

1. Start reading the Bible (begin with the book of John)
2. Catch and replace negative thoughts with truth
3. Begin your day with gratitude and intentional thinking

✨ Journal Prompt:

What lies have I been believing about myself… and what does God say instead?

🎧 Next Step:

If you’re ready to go deeper, I invite you to book a Rooted & Rising Coaching Session where we uncover the root of your thought patterns and begin renewing your mind through biblical truth.

🔗 Connect with Me:

👉 Schedule a Rooted & Risen Coaching Session.

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

Identity In Christ Cards-Teal

Identity In Christ Cards-Mauve

>> Download my free 5 Steps to Becoming An Overcomer

>> Visit Website: https://lesliechermak.com/

Music score: Kevin Manthei Music

What if your story isn’t over?

Today we’re talking about what it looks like to move beyond healing… and begin rewriting your story with God.

After unlocking childhood memories and learning how to process them safely, the next step is transformation—shifting the way you see your past, your identity, and your future.

If you’ve ever felt defined by what you’ve been through, this episode will remind you of a deeper truth:

You are not what happened to you. You are who God says you are.

What You’ll Learn

• What it really means to “rewrite your story”
• How childhood experiences shape core beliefs
• How to identify and replace limiting beliefs (lies)
• The connection between healing and purpose
• How God can redeem your story for something greater

Reflection Exercise (From Episode)

Write your story in two parts:

Part 1: What happened to me Part 2: What God is showing me now

Notice how your perspective begins to shift.

If you’re ready to move from healing into purpose, I’d love to walk with you.

Book a Rooted & Rising Coaching Session and take the next step in your journey.

>> Download my free Checklist For Living In Your Purpose

>> Visit https://lesliechermak.com/workwithme/ for more support.

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

>> Visit Website: https://lesliechermak.com/

*WARNING This episode may have triggering content.

What do you do when painful childhood sexual trauma memories start to surface?

In Part 2 of this series, we’re continuing the conversation on healing childhood trauma—this time focusing on how to process difficult memories safely and with God at the center.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, triggered, or unsure what to do when memories come back, this episode will give you practical, faith-based tools to walk through healing without retraumatizing yourself.

You don’t have to rush your healing. And you don’t have to do it alone.

What You’ll Learn

• Why painful memories resurface during healing
• How to process trauma without becoming overwhelmed
• Simple grounding techniques to feel safe in your body
• How to invite God into painful memories
• When to seek support in your healing journey

Psalm 32:8 says, “I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel.”

🔗 Connect with Me:

👉 Schedule a Rooted & Risen Coaching Session:https: https://LeslieChermaksCalendar.as.me/rootedandrising

>> Download my free 5 Steps to Becoming An Overcomer: https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/overcomer

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

>> Visit Website: https://lesliechermak.com/

Have you ever felt disconnected when others share joyful childhood memories?

Maybe you don’t remember much… or maybe the memories you do have feel too painful to revisit.

In this episode of Hope in the Fire, we’re talking about how childhood trauma can impact your memories—and how healing isn’t just about processing pain, but also rediscovering joy.

I share my personal journey of avoiding childhood memories, and how, over time, I began inviting God into my healing in a simple but powerful way: asking Him to reveal even one good memory.

If you’ve ever believed there was “nothing good” in your past, this episode will gently challenge that belief and give you a faith-filled, practical step forward.

What You’ll Learn

• Why childhood trauma can block or distort memories
• The difference between avoiding pain and inviting healing
• How God gently restores memories in safe and meaningful ways
• A simple prayer to begin unlocking joyful memories
• How rediscovering even one positive memory can shift your healing journey

Key Takeaway

Healing isn’t just about what you’ve lost—it’s also about what God wants to restore.

Journal Prompt (Mentioned in Episode)

“God, would You gently reveal to me one memory from my childhood that carries even the smallest amount of joy, peace, or safety?”

If you’re ready to go deeper in your healing journey, I invite you to book a Rooted & Rising Coaching Session. Together, we’ll create a safe, faith-centered space for you to process your story and step into freedom.

>> Schedule Rooted & Rising Coaching Session: 👇🏻 https://lesliechermakscalendar.as.me/schedule/8d756f8d/?calendarIds=3434750

>> Download my FREE 5 Steps To Becoming An Overcomer: https://lesliechermak.myflodesk.com/overcomer

>> Visit Website: https://lesliechermak.com/

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

What if the very thing you thought you didn’t need… became the breakthrough you were praying for?

In today’s episode of Hope in the Fire, I share my personal journey of healing from childhood trauma — from working with a non-Christian counselor, to receiving pastoral counseling, to participating in women’s Bible studies… and ultimately discovering the transformational power of coaching.

Each step mattered. Each season served a purpose.

But coaching became the space where healing turned into forward movement.

In this episode, I break down:

• The difference between counseling and coaching
• Why both are valuable
• How coaching helped me move from awareness to transformation
• What it looks like to have someone walk alongside you in your healing

If you’ve done some healing work but still feel stuck, this episode is for you.

I’m now offering one-on-one coaching for women healing from childhood trauma who are ready to move from surviving to thriving.

👉 Rooted & Rising Coaching

You don’t have to walk this alone.

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

Identity In Christ Cards-Teal

Identity In Christ Cards-Mauve

>> Download my free 5 Steps to Becoming An Overcomer

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

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

>> Visit the Website: https://lesliechermak.com/