[Ep 119] A Conversation with Lauren Cunningham: Keeping Faith When You're Sick

Have you or a loved one ever been plagued with physical symptoms that seemed to have no rhyme or reason? Ever have to go through a myriad of medical tests, waiting to see what was wrong with your body? Ever have to change the way you ate or moved or worked to accommodate a physical ailment of some sort? This week, I want to share a conversation I had with Lauren Cunningham. Lauren was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease right as she was getting ready to start college.  Her journey led her through multiple surgeries, lengthy hospital stays, countless infusions, and many doctor visits. Though medication worked for a little while, Lauren discovered other ways to take control over her health that helped her manage this chronic disease. Lauren shares her story of being diagnosed, and then she and I talk about how her family and friends showed up to support her, the secondary complications of illness or surgeries, the impact a health issue can have on family members, and how physical ailments can take a toll on you mentally and emotionally. And of course, in the midst of that, we talk about her faith journey and how she experienced God through all of this. If you find Lauren's words encouraging, I hope you'll reach out to her and let her know.  Kari   MEET LAUREN: Lauren Cunningham was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease right as she was getting ready to start college. Her journey led her through multiple surgeries, lengthy hospital stays, countless infusions, and many doctor visits. Though medication worked for a little while, Lauren discovered other ways to take control over her health that help her manage this chronic disease. Lauren currently works in marketing, but continues to encourage women in their health journeys through creating recipes that support health and nutrition. Lauren is also the host of the podcast So Can I, where she talks with different women about life and careers and relationships, and really follow the dreams on their hearts CONNECT WITH LAUREN: ·       Website ·       Free Resource: Recipe ebook ·       Podcast: So Can I   RELATED EPISODES: ·       Episode 68: Experiencing God in Cancer with Fitness Coach Carmen James ·       Episode 64: Approaching God Even In Your Anxiety with Your Bible Study Best Friend Eva Kubasiak  ______  >> Free Journaling Workshop: 3 Ways to Encounter God on the Pages of Your Journal http://lovedoesthat.org/journalingworkshop >> Journal Gently: An 8-week program designed to help you process grief and trauma with God http://lovedoesthat.org/journalgently >> Written Spiritual Direction: Recognize God's presence in your pain http://lovedoesthat.org/spiritualdirection