Cough Up Your Cancer

The life of a 37-year-old woman from Coventry, England, was saved when she coughed up a nearly one-inch tumor — one which likely would have proven fatal if left undetected. Claire Osborn was in her car just driving along when she felt a tickle at the back of her throat — a tickle she had felt before, but thought nothing of. This time, however — after a few minutes of hocking and hacking — out popped a large, fleshy growth.

Tests on the tissue confirmed an adenocarcinoma, an aggressive form of throat and mouth cancer that normally spreads quickly and with poor outcome. Fortunately, a PET scan later revealed the cancer had been contained.

“The consultant turned round to me and said, “It appears you have coughed up your cancer. Congratulations,’” Osborn told the Daily Mail. “I was totally flabbergasted. I couldn’t believe a coughing fit had saved my life.” Ms. Osborn now urges all people with a persistent tickle or cough to consult their physician.

Few things cause more trepidation than the thought of being diagnosed with a deadly cancer. Even when the outcome isn’t fatal, the emotional and physical scars left from battling it can themselves be considerable. Sadly, most have no choice but to face rounds of surgery, radiation treatments, chemotherapy, etc. Very, very few are as fortunate as Ms. Osborn. After all, have you ever heard of anyone who simply coughed up their cancer?

But that is exactly what the Bible says we can all do with a disease that is actually deadlier than all the forms of cancer combined. I’m talking about the spiritual disease called sin. Cancer may cause many people to die, but sin is the reason that everyone must die. Yet, as serious a problem as it is, the cure doesn’t require surgery, or radiation, or chemotherapy. All you have to do is cough it up! Repent of your sins and God will make you whole.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

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