How to Apply the B.L.E.S.S. Model to Your Life

The B.L.E.S.S model stands for Begin with Prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, and Share. It’s a simple but powerful methodology for supporting people who are going through tough times or facing significant life transitions. It’s also an excellent tool for anyone looking to make positive changes in their lives and relationships with others. We all need a helping hand sometimes, and being able to offer support to others is a beautiful thing; it helps us as much as it helps them! The B.L.E.S.S model gives us a clear and concise way to offer that support in a way that will be most helpful for the person we’re trying to assist:

Begin with Prayer

When all else fails, it’s always a good idea to start with prayer. Prayer can be a powerful way to connect with God and a great source of strength, courage, and guidance when we are facing a difficult situation or helping someone who is. Try to start any conversation with someone going through a tough time with prayer, praying that God will be with them and bring them the strength and comfort they need to get through what they’re going through. Keep in mind that prayer doesn’t have to be formal – you can pray with someone by simply holding their hand (if it feels natural to do so) and letting them know that you’re there for them and that you’re praying for them.

Listen

Sometimes we’re so focused on what we want to say next or what we think the other person needs that we don’t really listen to what they’re saying! Both the Bible and common sense tell us that people want to be heard. That’s often more helpful than trying to give advice or tell someone what they “should” do. Try to go into a conversation or help the situation with the mindset of “I want to hear what they have to say. I want to understand what they’re going through.” If you’re going to listen, you need to do it well. Here are some ideas: – Open up a conversation. Don’t try to jump right in with advice or a “solution” to someone’s problems; simply ask them to talk about what they’re going through. Ask them about what brought them to this point in their life. – Ask questions. Good questions can make all the difference in the world when you’re trying to support someone. – Don’t try to solve the problem. A common mistake people make when trying to help someone is trying to solve their problems for them. They rush in with advice and suggestions. “You should do this…” or “This is what worked for me when I was going through something similar!” – Let the person know you’re listening. Let them know you’re interested in what they have to say through your body language as well as your words. Make eye contact, nod your head, and ask questions to let them know you’re paying attention.

Eat (Share a meal or coffee)

While the Bible doesn’t mention food specifically, it does tell us that “a meal shared between friends is like a good start on a friendship.” Eating or drinking together can be an excellent way to build and strengthen relationships and is often an integral part of many cultures and religious ceremonies. If you’re trying to help someone who is going through a difficult time, there are many benefits to sharing a meal with them. First, it’s an excellent way to show that you care and that you’re there for them. Second, it shows that you are willing to invest time and effort in helping them. Lastly, it allows you to get to know the person better and to open up a conversation that might not occur if you simply went to the person’s house and tried to help them there.

Serve

One of the best ways to support someone going through a difficult time is to serve them and do things for them. This doesn’t have to be a huge project; it can be something as simple as letting the person know that you’d be willing to pick up their groceries if they like. What does serving look like in real life? Let’s say your friend has a newborn and is at their wits’ end. What does serving look like there? – Bring meals: Your friend is probably getting very little time to eat (if at all), so make sure to bring them meals (and lots of snacks). – Do some cleaning or laundry. You can’t make the mess go away, but you can help your friend out with the cleaning up. – Offer to take the other children for a walk, out to the park, or a friend’s house for a bit. – Go to the store and pick up some essentials your friend might need (and probably forgot about or ran out of).

Share

What can you share with someone who is going through a difficult time? What’s your story? What advice do you have that might help the person you’re trying to help? You don’t have to have a specific “story” to share, but if you do, it can be a great way to connect with the person you’re trying to help. What are your “secrets” or “tricks of the trade” that have helped you get through tough times in your life? Perhaps there is a Bible verse you’d like to share with the person you’re trying to help.

Summing up

Whether you’re helping someone who is going through a difficult time, dealing with an upcoming life transition, or simply want to make some positive changes in your life, the B.L.E.S.S model can be a great tool. Start with prayer and listening to the person you’re trying to help or yourself. Eat or drink together, serve the person in some way, and finally, share your story and any advice or knowledge you have that might help the other person or yourself. In any situation, the B.L.E.S.S model can help you navigate the waters and help make things a little easier for everyone involved.