Welcome back to Hope in the Fire, the podcast for Christian women healing from trauma and rebuilding their lives through spiritual, emotional, mental, physical, and nutritional wellness.

In today’s episode, we’re talking about Christian stress management for women and how to experience true peace when life feels overwhelming.

If last week we discussed courage overcoming fear, this week we’re addressing something just as powerful — stress.

Because if fear tries to freeze you… Stress tries to control you.

From overthinking small decisions (like worrying for weeks about whether your daughter’s ears are even) to navigating major life choices about parenting, business, or mental health — stress can quietly take over your body and mind.

But peace is possible.

In This Episode You’ll Learn:

• Why stress often stems from perceived unmet needs
• How the nervous system responds to uncertainty
• The connection between trauma and control
• Why overthinking and perfectionism increase anxiety
• How to calm your body during stress
• The difference between self-reliance and surrender
• Practical faith-based tools for managing stress
• How identity in Christ stabilizes emotional overwhelm

Christian Stress & Anxiety: What’s Really Happening?

When you feel overwhelmed, your brain interprets uncertainty as a threat. Your nervous system activates, your heart rate increases, and your thoughts accelerate.

For many women — especially those who experienced childhood trauma — control becomes a coping strategy.

But control does not create lasting peace.

Trust does.

True peace doesn’t come from managing every detail. It comes from surrendering what was never yours to carry.

Who This Episode Is For:

This episode is for the woman who:

• Feels overwhelmed by daily responsibilities
• Struggles with anxiety or low-level depression
• Tends to overthink or micromanage
• Carries the pressure to “hold everything together”
• Desires faith-based tools for emotional regulation
• Wants Christian coaching for stress and clarity

Rooted & Risen Coaching

If you’re realizing stress and control are patterns in your life — not just temporary feelings — you don’t have to navigate it alone.

In my Rooted & Risen coaching sessions, we:

• Identify stress triggers and trauma responses
• Uncover limiting beliefs
• Reconnect you to your identity in Christ
• Create actionable steps for lasting peace
• Help you move from pressure to purpose

You were not created to live in constant overwhelm.

You were created to live rooted in truth and risen in freedom.

👉 Book your Rooted & Risen session here

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

Identity In Christ Cards-Teal

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>> 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/

In today’s episode Leslie talks about how courage involves acting upon your desire, despite the fear. The enemy would love for you to stay stuck in fear.

Fear of what others will say.

Fear that no one loves you.

Fear that you are not good enough.

How can we change this? By understanding that courage involves recognizing its connection to our brain’s response to fear. By understanding your journey, you can create a courageous response plan tailored to your current challenges.

Leslie gives you 3 steps to overcome the challenging areas that hold you back;

1. Know who you are.
2. Know who God is.
3. Replace the lies with truth.

Leslie invites you to book a Root and Risen Coaching Session with her. She helps you identity the challenge areas that are holding you back.

In her words, “First we dig deep to uncover the lies and replace them with truth. Then we would come up with a way you would like to implement what you learned about combating the challenge areas. Then we create actionable steps that work for you and I teach you 12 life areas that I believe with all my heart, that if you engage in private coaching with me, we will break through the fear and stress and you are going to see progress.” Book a session by clicking the link below.

Scripture: Philippians 4:8

🔗 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 the Website: https://lesliechermak.com/

In today’s episode, Leslie explores:

• The difference between coping and true resilience
• Why resilience is not self-reliance
• How trauma, perfectionism, and dopamine keep women stuck
• Why interruptions often come right before growth
• How to return to rhythm after emotional, spiritual, or physical disruption

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

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

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.