“HELP! I’VE FALLEN, AND CAN’T GET UP”

If, like me, you were raised in the 80s and 90s, then you’re officially old.

Back then, there was a commercial featuring an elderly person who had fallen to the ground. This person would lie there helplessly with no one around. Unable to reach a phone to call for help, they would reach for a necklace and press a red button. A voice would ask, “What’s your emergency?” The fallen person would reply, “HELP! I’VE FALLEN AND I CAN’T GET UP!” The voice on the other end would then assure them that help was on the way. I believe the device was called Life Alert.

You’re probably wondering what this has to do with recovery. Have you ever found yourself in a season of falls, also considered moments of relapse? Have you ever fallen and felt as though you couldn’t get back up on your feet? I know I have. Imagine if, in those moments, you had something like that Life Alert button where all you had to do was say those words: “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”

The truth is, we do have a life alert. Though it’s not in the form of an actual device, it exists as a hotline, communication board, or message center. We refer to this as Group Chat. When a person reaches out and says they’ve fallen and need help getting up, a team of emergency responders reaches out and assists with uplifting that person and helping them back to their feet. This team is made up of people who know what it’s like to fall and feel helpless due to personal experiences. There is no judgment involved. They possess true compassion and love for the fallen individual.

Our life alert system revolves around communication and relationships. The next time you experience a fall and need help getting up, go ahead and hit that life alert button. Simply say, “Help, I’ve fallen and need help getting up.” Watch what happens.

Jon B, grateful believer in Christ striving for moral and sexual purity.