MINISTERING TOWARD PREPAREDNESS can be a great blessing to those you are called to serve. Ministering brothers and sisters can help others to accomplish their desired goals to be prepared.
NEWSLETTER - Check if they are receiving the monthly newsletter on preparedness.
Share the STAKE WEBSITE
VOLUNTEER to help them with their preparedness needs and monthly goals.
INVITE them to join you and your household in preparedness activities and projects.
Consider OFFERING GIFTS of PREPAREDNESS for birthdays or on visits such as a flashlight, whistle, work gloves, baked goods using food storage (include the recipe), a bag of rice or a pack of water bottles.
MINISTERING IN CRISIS SITUATIONS
During difficult situations, it’s important for us to support and strengthen each other. We can MINISTER in the LORD’S WAY by seeking to LIFT and LIGHTEN the burdens of others and share His words of HOPE that HELP and HEAL. We can follow His example to LOVE THY NEIGHBOR.
SEEK INSPIRATION. Start with a prayer. Ask for the Spirit to inspire you to guide you in ministering to and helping others. It can be helpful to just be there for someone. This can mean making a phone or video call or sending a text message, so people know you are thinking of them. Your presence can be calming and comforting. Offer to talk or spend time together as much as is needed.
BE COMPASSIONATE. Show others that you care about them. Remember everyone is different and will respond to a crisis differently. Allow others to go through their own experiences. (It’s OK to just sit quietly with the person. Just being there offers support.) Continue to be present with those who are struggling, even when you are not sure what to say or do.
ALLOW OTHERS TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS. Ask questions to help others explain their experiences but avoid forcing them to talk about feelings or subjects they aren’t ready to discuss. Ask questions about how others are feeling and what they are experiencing. Avoid assuming you already know how they feel. Be cautious about sharing stories from your past. It’s important to focus on each person and his or her experience. Listen actively. Focus on the person and listen with your HEART.
EMPATHIZE AND NORMALIZE RESPONSES. Show others that you understand their unique experiences and help them feel it’s normal to not be OK right now. If others are struggling with sleep, headaches, stomachaches, appetite, daily routines, and spiritual practices, help them know that it is normal to struggle. Help them be patient and graceful with themselves. Healing takes time.
SUGGEST IDEAS FOR WAYS TO COPE IN HEALTHY WAYS. If others want or need ideas for how to manage emotions and stress, discuss some practical ideas such as:
Take time to take care of ourselves; including proper nutrition, hydration, hygiene, exercise, sleep, and prescribed medications.
Limiting news and social media and other potential negative influences.
Engaging in service to others.
Learning mindfulness or breathing exercises.
Facing life one day, hour, or minute at a time.
How has their faith and reliance upon the Lord helped them?
OFFER a HELPING HAND. Offer to pick up groceries, mow their lawn, care for a child, accompany them to an appointment, lend them an inspiring book, take them to lunch, or anything helpful they might need. Sometimes it is difficult for someone to think of something you can do for them when in crisis. Thinking of and then offering a way to serve may be helpful. Organize others, if needed, to help with service during a crisis.
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT. If someone wants professional support you could connect with a bishop, or your local Family Services office.
OFFER HOPE. Pray together. Prayer invites the Spirit and can bring peace and comfort. Share scriptures that communicate and testify of God’s love and the Savior’s HEALING OF HEARTS.