Help! I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

The phrase became popular a few years ago as Life Alert promoted the emergency button necklace. I think we all could benefit by having a Life Alert button around our neck at all times. If you suddenly find yourself flat on your face or stuck in a situation you can’t get out of, just press the panic button and help is on the way.

There is a reason the Bible often refers to us a sheep. They are quick to fall down and find themselves cast down. They might fall into a little dip in the ground but because they wallow, twisting and rolling around in a pitiful state, they soon make a groove in the ground where they are literally stuck flat on their back. It is impossible for a cast down sheep to put themselves back upright. Another sheep can only nudge and “baa….a” at the fallen sheep. The shepherd is the only one that can bring the help that is needed and put them back on their feet again.

We can be so quick to baa…a at each other giving advice, judging and ridiculing one another that we make Job’s friends look good. All of our bleating and judging does no good to get them back on their feet. If we would just run to the good Shepherd on behalf of one another, we would be so much better for it.

The truth is we do have a panic button.

Call to Me and I will answer you and

tell you great and incomprehensible things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

We can push the call button at any moment and help is on the way. But let’s not forget to press the panic button for others that we see stuck in pain, grief, loneliness and destructive behaviors. Our prayers for one another are effective and can accomplish much. (James 5:16)

Prayer is one of the greatest ways we can Stand Shoulder to Shoulder.

Even when we are unable to sit for coffee or share a meal, we can intercede for one another. We can fight for truth. We can pray the Holy Spirit go to them and encourage them and lift up their heads. We can pray prayers of protection for one another and on and on it goes. Fill your lonely days with prayers for someone else. Before you know it, help has shown up and lifted you from your own pit.