When Americans are surveyed about their greatest fear, public speaking is always very close to the top of the list. Most successful stand-up comedians will share stories about how scared they were the first time they stood up in front of a crowd at an Open Mic night…standing on a stage, the focus of attention, with nothing but a microphone.
Those young comedians knew they were funny. The idea of shifting from cutting up with their friends or being the class clown to performing on stage was overwhelming. While they believed they could be good at the job, taking that first step and deciding to stand up was the hardest part, especially with jokes like this one:
“Changing a diaper is a lot like getting a present from your grandmother…you’re not sure what you’ve got, but you’re pretty sure you’re not going to like it.”
Jeff Foxworthy
Or this one:
” I have never been jealous. Not even when my dad finished the fifth grade a year before I did.”
Jeff Foxworthy
What Do You Stand for?
Standing up for something is scary, whether it be to share our faith, perform a comedy routine, volunteer for a cause dear to our hearts, or financially support organizations making a difference. It requires action and change. However, the consequences could be scarier if we choose to remain seated.
This is especially true with the drug crisis in America. Every day we are inundated with more terrifying information like:
- 9 out of 10 people who have an addiction began drug or alcohol use before the age of 18.
- Overdose deaths have tripled over the last decade.
- Alcohol abuse is responsible for killing over 95,000 Americans each year.
- Over 80,000 people died from an opioid overdose in 2021.
It’s overwhelming.
Of course, we want to help, but what can one person, one small group, one church, or one business even do? What difference can we make?
What “Stand Up for Recovery” Means
Standing up for recovery means taking that first step. Blocking out the noise of the crowd, putting aside any fear of the unknown, and getting involved.
“People should see your faith. They ought to see it in the way you treat your family, you treat your friends, you treat your community.”
Jeff Foxworthy
There are so many stories that need to be told. Simple things that almost anyone can do are impacting the lives of men and their families, helping to improve our communities, and making our churches stronger and more dynamic.
His Way sees these kinds of actions being taken when people stand up for recovery:
- Individuals and small groups bring an evening meal to the men living at His Way.
- Christian men share life, mentor, and be a friend to men pursuing addiction recovery through the strength and power of Jesus Christ.
- Families and small groups encourage and support the families of men seeking recovery.
- Business owners and managers employ men working through the His Way program, often giving them a second chance at building a career.
- Mature Christians teach Bible and Life Skill Classes at His Way.
- Trained counselors volunteer to help the men at His Way work through so many of the complex issues and collateral damage associated with addiction.
- Churches and Christian families welcome and love those fighting to overcome addiction.
- Individuals and organizations financially support Christ-centered recovery.
Hey, You! Stand Up for Recovery.
What might sound and feel intimidating at first is actually very simple. You have a chance to stand up for recovery and help people overcome addiction. Not only so, when you support His Way, you help drive our mission to reclaim individuals from a life of addiction, rebuild them in spiritual sobriety in Christ, and restore them to productive, Christlike service in society.
“Look at where Jesus went to pick people. He didn’t go to the colleges; he got guys off the fishing docks.”
Jeff Foxworthy
There are many ways to stand up for recovery in Atlanta, but one of the main ways this season is sponsoring a table at the “Stand Up for Recovery” event happening Thursday, September 14 at Greater Atlanta Christian School. In case you haven’t guessed, Jeff Foxworthy will be the main speaker, and everyone who attends receives a 3-course meal.
To get involved in our mission in other ways, check out this page on our website: https://hiswayinc.org/his-way-atlanta/get-involved/