Leslie Begin - Anchored In Hope

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Transcript

Meet Leslie And The Mission

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome to Road to Redemption. I'm John Martin. So excited to be here with my friend Leslie. How are you, Leslie?

SPEAKER_02 0:09

So happy to be here. I'm excited for today.

SPEAKER_00 0:12

Yeah, me too. And I know your husband, Trey.

SPEAKER_02 0:15

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 0:16

And we had him on the show a little while ago, a few years ago, it seems like.

SPEAKER_02 0:20

It was. I think it was 2022, which is I mean, that's a good legacy you're developing. That's really consistent.

SPEAKER_00 0:27

Oh, well, he is great, and and and he had you know a great story, and you know, I've I've heard some of his teachings that he's done some of the men's groups, and just great. I know y'all have, gosh, you've got more kids than we do, I think. Yes. How many do y'all have?

SPEAKER_02 0:42

We're winning. Um, six daughters from the ages of 19 to 7. So we're still in all the stages except the baby stage, which feels good to not be in the baby stage.

SPEAKER_00 0:53

Yeah. And and and I got to meet you the other day at a at another event and was just listening to you talk, and I was just like, wow, she has so much passion for Jesus. And I know you have a great story, great testimony, and just wanted to start off just giving us a little background on you and how you got here and stuff.

Early Faith And Family Struggle

Clinging To Identity In Christ

SPEAKER_02 1:14

Yeah, well, I um I was hungry for Jesus at an early age. Um, I went to what I would call a chicken soup for the soul church. Where do you remember those books back in the day? It was like really good stories, but I never knew Jesus. And so in ninth grade, my family moved to Louisiana from Michigan, and a friend invited me to her church, and I was desperate for friendship, having moved from one end of the country to the other. And so I said yes. And this church, they just taught the truth. They taught about who Jesus is and what he has to offer and how much he loved me, and I bought into it completely. I um I needed that hope that he has to offer at an early age. My mom had multiple multiple sclerosis and was very depressed for a long time. And um I clung on to the hope of Jesus from a very early age. I remember getting my first Bible, and it was the Life Application Bible for teens. And I opened up to James, which is a very practical book, and I was reading it in the family van on a trip to the beach, and I like was just highlighting every word. And I was so hungry for the word of God, so hungry for all he had to offer. And um, since then the road has not been easy, uh, but I have found myself growing deeper and deeper roots into who uh Jesus is, into um the full offering of the Holy Spirit and the power and the comfort and the peace that comes from a you know the spirit dwelling in us and full reliance on the God the Father, um, all three equally. And so um that's my that's my Jesus story. And um, you know, I've recently realized that the hope as an anchor for my soul, God needed me to find him. I mean, he was running and chasing after me in ninth grade because there were dark days in high school where my mom would say, You're the only reason I'm alive. And now I'm raising high schoolers, and I'm thinking that was the most inappropriate conversation to have. And at the same time, there was a lot of anger toward me from her. And so I grew up in those years clinging to Jesus and who he said I was, and knowing my identity in him and as a daughter of the king, uh, and that saved my life because otherwise I was living a life trying to be good enough so that somebody didn't kill themselves, which was a really high, high level of pressure to have on a teenage girl. So that's Jesus to me.

Weight, Addiction, And Wake-Up Calls

SPEAKER_00 4:05

I think that that that's a story that comes up more often with people. That's that's definitely I've heard it a lot of those kind of pressures and then what can result of that and you know and how you're developed.

SPEAKER_01 4:21

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 4:21

Um, I know you talked a little bit about kind of some of the coaching you do and stuff on codependency and these types of things. Uh I don't know if you want to share a little bit about that journey.

Trading Food Comfort For True Peace

SPEAKER_02 4:35

After having, well, there's two different parts of the journey that collide. Um, and so after having four kids and six years, I had gained a lot of weight. Um, just because it was baby weight, and I was living in survival of like eating double-stuffed Oreos because that just was convenient and easy, and the pantry was on the way from the kitchen to the bedroom, you know, and so I found myself standing in there looking for comfort and looking for peace and looking for just uh energy to make it through the day because I had those four little babies who were depending on me. And um, in that stage, my husband who shared his story, was um going deep into an alcohol addiction, and so everything felt out of control, but I was still living in this denial space of it's all good, but also had this 45 pounds, and so I worked with a coach and she helped me to have like systems so I could lose some weight. But what I found was when I no longer used the Oreos as a coping mechanism, I actually had to dive into what Jesus really was offering me. And um, I realized I was totally dependent on food as an addiction. Um, and I wouldn't have called it that at the time, but when you're using that instead of your um instead of going to him for comfort or him to for peace, it becomes something that is an addiction because you're not using, I mean, you're not depending on him. So uh I lost 45 pounds in 16 weeks, and what I told you the other day was um I I then became a coach. I I'd never thought I would be a coach. I never wanted to be a coach. Um and uh it naturally led to people were asking me, how how do I do this? Because they didn't just see me lose weight, they saw me gain life. And from that point, I've been coaching people to help lose weight, like set a goal on the scale and reach it for the last 13 years. But what I've realized over those years is it's not about um actually losing a number on the scale or fitting in a gene size, like that's what they think they're coming to me for, but really they're coming because the weight of the world has been on their shoulders, and they've been carrying it, and their bodies don't feel safe enough to lose the weight. And so they come to me, and I get to guide them to realize like that weight of the world, you were never intended to carry that. Uh, you were made to carry an easy yoke, a light burden that the Lord has for you, and it's provides rest for the soul, and so that that became that part of the journey.

Coaching Beyond The Scale

SPEAKER_00 7:24

Really, yeah, you're doing ministry to people through this coaching weight loss that they're coming to know Jesus or maybe coming back to know Jesus. What would you say to people listening out there today that are struggling? I mean, we all have something. Everybody has an addiction, really.

SPEAKER_02 7:48

You know, if it's our culture is addicted.

SPEAKER_00 7:51

We all have something that we're sin, we're struggling with or you know, so yeah, this show we're all about providing people hope through stories, because I was telling you, a lot of people look at you and Trey and be like, wow, beautiful family and have a nice house and things like that. But there's a there's a story to that, you know. So what what would you say to people listening today? What what's your message?

Hope For The Struggling Listener

The Redemption Counter Metaphor

SPEAKER_02 8:15

You know, I love the title of your podcast, Road to Redemption, because redemption's a a really big word for me. Um and I, you know, we have kids. So have you been to Chuck E. Cheese or Dayton Busters? So you get like back in the day when you got actual tickets, you would get these like thousands of tickets, and then you go and you go to the ticket counter, which is my worst dread of Chuck E. Cheese, is the ticket counter because you got thousands of tickets that you've worked really hard for, and you take it to the ticket muncher and it munches them all up, and you have this one piece of paper that says she has 2,000 tickets to use, and then they get a dum-dum, you know, they get a little bitty sucker or 2,000 tickets. And what I recognized is those tickets each have a name when it comes to the ticket counter and like God our father being behind the ticket counter, ready to redeem these tickets, and that that it's called the redemption center is that ticket counter. And um, so I remember standing there one day with my littles, and they're all so torn up. Do I get the little like top that's gonna break in a second, the slinky that you're gonna stretch out and be all tangled and I'm gonna be untangling? Or do I get the dum-dum sucker? And I'm like, just pick something. Like, none of these are worth anything. Well, I think sometimes we think we're coming up to the redemption center that God is behind the desk, and we're like, okay, but this ticket is shame, and this ticket is guilt, and this ticket is a shopping addiction, and I don't even want to show you this ticket because this one's really embarrassing. And then, you know, we come and we're like, this isn't worth anything. Like what I'm surrendering to you, Lord, this resentment or this bitterness or this brokenness, or like I don't even want to approach the ticket counter because this isn't worth anything. And and then he's like, just you can just trust me. Like you can surrender it to me and surrender your brokenness and surrender your pain. And I actually have instead of sorrow, I have joy that's gonna be your strength through this season. Yeah, like instead of chaos, instead of um stress that you've been carrying and it's done a work on your body, I'm gonna give you peace that passes all understanding, and it's gonna guard your heart and mind. Instead of that sense of overwhelm, give me that overwhelm ticket. Because instead of overwhelm, I'm gonna give you you're an overcomer. Like, and so, you know, I've listened to several of your podcasts, and almost all of them talked about surrender recently. So I think you have a theme going. Um, but that was my big journey was a journey of surrender. And yeah, Trey was an alcoholic, and he's he's lived out loud so much of what the brokenness that he brought to that redemption counter, and me, I was the codependent in that relationship. And as a codependent, I had to bring different things to the redemption center.

Vulnerability, Community, And Small Groups

SPEAKER_00 11:21

Wow. And I think too, it's a lot about making ourselves vulnerable. Um, because everybody thinks that in this world of social media and everything, that everybody's got these great lives, and and and and just and it's it creates this, it's it's a comparing mind, and so many people feel like they're just done, like you know, they're yeah, they're they're just gods, you know, and and and it's just I feel like it's making yourself vulnerable and coming, you know, into a small group, or you know, having like with you a group of women that get together and can can share because when you bring these things out and say, gosh, you know, this is a lot of people have these issues, and and God doesn't want us living in shame and guilt, right? Condemnation. No, he wants us to trust in him and and confess our sins to one another and say, look, yeah, this is we need to work on this. God forgives us, he wants us to walk forward, yeah. You know, so I uh that that's what I I see so many people through small groups, particularly.

SPEAKER_02 12:28

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 12:28

Um, and even like I feel like what you and Trey do with this, you know, your coach and your health, uh, that that almost becomes small groups. So probably a lot of events and stuff y'all do, people are it's they're coming not really so much for the weight loss and the products, it's more the the ministry they're getting through the sharing, yeah, is what it seems. I don't know if you want to elaborate more on that.

Building Safe Spaces For Change

SPEAKER_02 12:51

Yeah, 100%. I mean, if if um I remember walking through this season and Trey hit rock bottom, um, and I had to hit rock bottom first as a codependent before he would hit rock bottom as a dependent. Um, but he hit rock bottom, and my friend called me, and she knows I've led small groups forever. I love the way God changes lives through small groups. And for those listening who don't know what that is, a small group is just a group of people getting together who it's a safe space where you truly can be vulnerable, where people can remind you of what your the promises are, um, where you can be developed and grow in your faith. Like my life totally changed in small groups, you know. And so um she said, Are you ready to walk with somebody else? And it was a friend, and I said, that I knew whose husband had relapsed into um a cocaine addiction. And um I was like, Well, if God doesn't start to use this, I don't know why I had to go through it. And as a Christian, and I do live out loud on social media, Trey and I both do, but I really live out loud, and I have been committed from the beginning. I'm like, I'm not gonna pretend things are perfect. Now, I will, and I believe as a leader and as leaders, um, we lead from a place of strength, but we connect through a place of vulnerability. And why would anyone trust me with their health journey or with their heart journey or with their spiritual journey if they think I just have it all figured out? Like, I don't want that kind of mentor. Yeah, I want the kind of mentor who's like, yeah, this is hard, like really hard. And God is faithful. Let me share how.

SPEAKER_00 14:39

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 14:39

Um, so the the question has been lost from my mind if I'm being full truth small groups of vulnerability. And so, yeah, I fully believe life changes in circles, not just in rows. Um, I believe that people do come in to lose weight, they end up staying because of our community is second to none. Um, they in fact, I started recently, yes, I do individual coaching, but I also put them all in a group together. Like my clients who are really, really going for some goals mentally, emotionally, physically, um, and leading them in a group because they need each other. They don't it's great to have other voices. Yeah.

The Battlefield Of The Mind

SPEAKER_00 15:21

Well, we need to have each other in today's world because a lot of people isolate and the enemy comes in. It's really the battlefield of the mind, which I love Joyce Myers is one of my favorites. I need to reread that actually.

SPEAKER_02 15:37

It should be a once-a-year read.

SPEAKER_00 15:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 15:38

I feel like there are some books that it should be a once-a-year read.

Three Pillars For Lasting Growth

SPEAKER_00 15:41

Because it's in our mind, it really is. It is God wants the best for us. He's gonna provide for us, he's gonna provide all of our needs. Um, but it's it's the battlefield in our mind. We've gotta have other people to come around us. You know, as as we always say, folks, we don't want to forget to tell you our three key pillars of the road to redemption is first to get into the word of God. Just start reading the Bible every day. Get up in the morning. If you have a hardback Bible, do that. But if not, just get on the Bible app every morning. Get up and read. Just read scripture, give it some time, at least 15 minutes. We promise God will speak to you through his written word. And the next is to get into a Christ-centered Bible-believing church and just go. You'll never find the perfect church, but just go and give it at least one year. We promise it'll change your life. The last is to get into the small group. You know, get into a group of men or women or married couples or whatever your life season is, and that will transform your life. But I know I was asking you earlier a little bit about because you have so much passion, you know, if there's anything that you would say, maybe to women, I know you work a lot with women out there that are you know looking for hope. Anything that you might say to that, maybe even just one woman that's listening today.

A Word To Women Walking Through Fire

The Trigger-To-Intimacy Shift

Surrender As A Daily Practice

SPEAKER_02 17:04

Yeah. I um because I've been transparent and vulnerable about the struggles within our family, within, you know, I mean, just on all different levels. Uh, women come to me frequently and are feel safe enough to share their stories. And I know there are so many women walking through scary times in their marriage or with their children. And I want you to know, and this is the road to redemption, that there is a hope that is your inheritance that is an anchor to your soul, and it's steady and firm. And when the waves of life feel like it's too much, like you're drowning, like you're sinking, um, there's a hope that will anchor your soul, your mind, your will, and your emotions during that time. And that hope is in Jesus. And I know that many women are like, yeah, but if he would just change, if he would just do this, if he would stop with the porn, if he would stop with the addiction, if he would stop with this, if he would stop doing this, then I would be at peace. And the truth is, peace is your inheritance. The Bible says, don't worry about anything, but by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, give your request to God, and then he will give you the peace that passes all understanding, and that peace will guard your heart and mind in him. And I would like to say that some other verse is my life verse, but that's the verse I've had to lean on more than anything else over the many years. And so I'd love to give the people listening an exercise. It's very simple. Um, and number one, when you're triggered, because you're like, I'm triggered, that's like this keyword all over Instagram. And I'm like, quit talking about your triggers. But anyway, I talked about them. And I had this wise woman say, Leslie, don't we all just want the trigger to go away? I'm like, yeah, if he would stop doing that, I would be fine. Everything would be great. And she's like, Yeah, but what if the trigger is just an information from the Holy Spirit about where that person is right now? And I said, Well, maybe. And she goes, if it was information from the Holy Spirit, then you could say, Okay, what is the enemy trying to do so I can pray against it? And what is the Lord trying to do so I can partner with him and pray for that? And she goes, The problem is you're accepting the trigger as an invitation to a chaos party. And she's like, You happen to be very good at accepting invitations to chaos parties. And um, she said, and you're going to the chaos party because you're longing for intimacy. But the brain will interpret intensity and intimacy in the same way. And she said, So you're going to intensity, longing for intimacy. And she said, if you could just pause for a minute and maybe walk away from the invitation and ask Holy Spirit, what information are you giving me? Then everything could change. So to the person out there who's like trying to control the situation, trying to use their emotions to say, like, you, if you heard my heart, you would change. Use your logic and say, if he heard my logic, he would change. You're sending Instagram posts and articles. It's not working. Because what really works is one of the strongest weapons is surrender. And it's surrendering that person or that situation or your emotions to the lap of Jesus or to the lap of our Father or to the Holy Spirit and saying, you deal with it. Like in anger, or you deal with it with a broken heart. And from that place, you can repent for your part, and then you can say, Lord, love him through me as me. And it's a place of surrender and openness. And so my encouragement to the woman out there who feels like like we live at the beach, so it feels like picking up sand and not just holding it, but squeezing it, and it's just dripping out of your hand, like falling out of your hands as you squeeze harder. Open your hands, surrender the situation or the person to the lap of Jesus, and then make your life a living offering saying, Will you do this through me as me?

SPEAKER_00 21:47

That's good. And I just wanted to say about the Holy Spirit when when Jesus was talking with his disciples before he knew he was going to be crucified, he said, It's better that I go because I'm To leave the Holy Spirit.

SPEAKER_01 22:01

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 22:02

And it's going to be much better.

SPEAKER_01 22:03

Yeah.

Inviting The Holy Spirit

Closing And Next Steps

SPEAKER_00 22:04

Than even me being here. You know, which is so powerful. Um, you know, the Son of God said it's gonna be better that I leave the Holy Spirit. So we have the Holy Spirit, yeah. And and many of you listening may not know what is the Holy Spirit, and and and we could do a whole show on that. There are many books on the Holy Spirit you could get, but just it's that simple. You just have to ask, if you just ask the Holy Spirit to come into your heart, to come in and and and just to be to dwell in you and to guide you, and he will. And you will see, along with reading scripture and doing all things we talk about, you will see God transform in your life. And and and just as you were saying. So that's that's great. Well, wow, this has been such a great show. Thank you, Leslie. Thank you for coming on. I know we're gonna have you back because there's so much more to your story and what to say, but today was just a great um way to get to know you and your your story, and we'll we'll we'll put up there on how people can find you on your um pages and all that. We'll put that out there, okay? Good. Well, thank you. I appreciate it. Hi, John. Thanks.