Lauren works as Communications Specialist for the Women’s Ministries section at International Headquarters.

'At 17, I underwent emergency surgery for severe abdominal pain. A surgeon explained the risks and I listened with as much intent as my pain allowed. As I waited in my hospital gown, silently lifting nervous and clumsy prayers to God, I remember feeling a distinct grief at the loss of health, youth and control over my body. 

'Four years, two further surgeries and several dismissive medical appointments later, I found validation in a diagnosis: endometriosis. A condition where cells similar to those in the lining of the womb grow elsewhere in the body. Symptoms can include chronic pain, fatigue and infertility. 

'When I think of 17-year-old Lauren, I have compassion. I admit, I’m a little proud of her. She brought out a resilience and bravery in me. It is with her that I learned my greatest lessons so far in grace, honesty, kindness and gentleness for myself and others. She chose to press on. She is an overcomer. Most importantly, she went before me and showed what full surrender to God could look like in my life today. 

'Now, at 25, I feel like I have lived a lot of life. There are days when the pain and exhaustion are too much. There are days that feel heavy with grief. But the deep and unexpected places my journey has taken me have brought me to a new strength of wisdom, a new store of gratitude, a new measure of empathy and new depths of joy. Today I live comfortably in the truth that God’s got me. He knows my need and he meets me there without fail.'

Endometriosis affects 10 per cent of women worldwide. On average it takes eight years from onset of symptoms to receive a diagnosis in the United Kingdom.