COUGH IT UP

I waited patiently for the Lord; and
he inclined unto me, and heard
my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible
pit, out of the miry clay, and set my
feet upon a rock, and established
my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my
mouth, even praise unto our God;
many shall see it, and fear, and shall
trust the Lord.
Psalm 40:1-3

It's a common phrase, at least as I remember...”Cough it up.” I would say it to my children when they were young and seemed to be choking on something. It was also a term often used when getting someone to give something to another they felt they had coming. An example would be: “You owe me five bucks...cough it up.”

Of course there is the usual cough we all endure from time to time. I've been going through it because of all the pollen that floats in the air here in mountain country. I swallow allergy meds but still end up with a pretty good cough. I probably should get stock in some cough drop manufacturers with all the ones of several brands I keep in my mouth a good portion of the time.

I have done this before with my blog, but there is a particular brand of cough drops I probably use most that is often an encouragement to me even before putting a drop in my mouth. I won't mention the brand, but it will probably come to mind for anyone who has used them in the past. With this cough drop, there is a very different paper cover on each one. Most people don't either know it or pay attention to the small sayings printed on each wrapper. For the most part, the sayings are words of encouragement. I've gotten where I pay attention to the sayings before throwing the wrappers in a trash can. So allow me to share two of these sayings with an added word of Scripture or encouragement.

“Turn 'can do' into 'can did!'”

I remember the day my Mother introduced me to our Singer sewing machine. It was an old timer with the foot treadle that had to be pushed with the feet to make the thing run. At the age of ten I had pretty long legs, but I just couldn't figure out how to step on the treadle and manage to hold the cloth in place for the needle to do it's job. I know Mother meant well and just wanted me to enjoy a new adventure, but I was in tears and hating life in that moment. I kept saying, “Mother, I can't do it” and she always had the same answer, “Can't never did anything...”can't” can't.” I know she was right but the timing wasn't.

I'm reminded of Paul's encouragement in Philippians 4:13 that says: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” I've found in the situations where I'm nervous of the new, that God's timing is always right. He knows my strengths and weaknesses. I have slowly come to learn that when God calls, He equips. Not only does He equip but He hangs around me during the entire process of whatever it might be I'm called to do. His presence is always such an encouragement.

Let's look at one more cough drop saying.

“Keep your chin up.”

I don't hear this one much anymore. Perhaps it's a little out of date. When little, I would hear adults say that to another and various absurd pictures came to my mind. I wondered how in the world would a person do that. To be honest, I never saw anyone who needed to do something drastic to their chin. Their chin didn't seem to be lower than usual or out of shape somehow. Later after asking my Mother about it, she told me that it was something said to someone who is discouraged or who is going through a tough time. I've come to understand that saying better in my older years. I know the tendency for any of us is to drop our gaze, looking more downward when we are very weary or really “down in the dumps.”

When we are going through the toughest of times, there is no way we can have the company of an encourager twenty-four hours a day. In the direst of times, it's pretty difficult for any human being to help us keep our chin up. Life can really beat us up and we are confronted with fear, discouragement and even depression. I realize when encouraged to turn to the Lord, that may not sound like a reality because it isn't a human body to sit with and talk with face to face. BUT, God's presence is different. With the Holy Spirit in us, God's presence is constant and He can move mountainous problems in ways we can't begin to comprehend. Isaiah 41:10 has always been a great encourager to me helps me when I need to keep my chin up.

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed;
for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I
will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with
the right hand of my righteousness.

I'm so grateful that He will uphold me in ways that are unbelievable. He's even capable of upholding my sagging chin.

Father, I'm always amazed at the big and small ways You sent my way little nudges of encouragement and even instruction. I'm grateful today for your strengthening and presence in my life. Thank You for the presence of Your Holy Spirit and for sending Jesus...in Whose name I pray. Amen