Spiritual First Aid: Spiritual and Emotional Care in CrisisSýnishorn

Emotional Needs

God sees and hears us. We see this truth repeated throughout the Psalms (Ps. 18:6; 139:1-4). We see it in the actions of the Spirit, groaning on our behalf before the Lord (Romans 8:26-27). We’re also reminded how deeply important it is to be heard when we’re emotionally aching and how helpful it is to be there for someone else in their distress.

When people are in crisis, their life rhythms and daily activities are disrupted, which can cause significant emotional struggles. The more you are able to address gaps in a person’s emotional needs, the more likely they will be able to identify and practice healthy coping strategies, thereby reducing future stress.

Help with humility:

• Be more others-oriented. Remember that Spiritual First Aid is about the other person, not you.
• Avoid using platitudes to respond to religious and spiritual concerns (e.g., “God only tests the strong”).
• Try to understand the person’s experience, no matter how different it is from your own point of view.
• Avoid giving advice unless asked.
• Remind yourself that you are there to provide support, not to be right.

Engage in practical presence:

• People find comfort in feeling understood. Many people in crisis may have a nagging sense that their reactions and concerns are abnormal or “crazy,” and it can be helpful to hear that others are going through similar struggles. Doing so can bring a sense of relief to people who are confused, ashamed, or afraid about how they are coping.
• Look for strengths in the person, and, when appropriate, affirm those strengths and provide encouragement (e.g., “despite being exhausted, you have somehow been able to be there for your family”).

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The BLESS Method is Spiritual First Aid’s assessment and intervention framework for humbly helping and providing practical presence. BLESS represents the first letter of each of the five core needs (Belonging, Livelihood, Emotional, Safety, and Spiritual needs) that Spiritual First Aid was designed to assist.