Adler’s withdrawal safeguarding tendency compared to instances of safeguarding found in Scripture – examples using the four modes of withdrawal: moving backward, standing still, hesitation, and constructing obstacles
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Adler’s withdrawal safeguarding tendency refers to a psychological defense mechanism where an individual retreats from challenges or difficulties in life to protect their self-esteem and avoid feelings of inferiority. This tendency manifests in various ways, including retreating into isolation or avoidance of responsibility. Adler identified four modes of withdrawal safeguarding: moving backward, standing still, hesitation, and constructing obstacles. Each of these can be compared to instances in Scripture, where similar behaviors of avoidance or retreat can be observed.
- Moving Backward: This mode involves regressing to a safer, less challenging state, often seeking comfort in the past. In Scripture, this can be seen in the behavior of Lot’s wife (Genesis 19:26). When warned to flee Sodom and not look back, she still does, showing a retreat into the past rather than moving forward with trust in God’s direction. Her action illustrates a form of retreat from the unknown and a longing for the comfort of what was familiar.
- Standing Still: This is the refusal to progress, staying in one place even when action is required. In the Book of Exodus, when the Israelites were at the Red Sea, they stood still, gripped by fear, rather than moving forward (Exodus 14:13-14). Their hesitation is a classic example of standing still due to a lack of faith in God’s promise. God then urged them to move forward, showing how standing still can be a failure to embrace the opportunities ahead.
- Hesitation: This involves delay in decision-making, often caused by uncertainty or fear. Moses hesitated when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Exodus 3:11-14). Moses’ hesitation in the face of a divine calling illustrates self-doubt and fear of inadequacy, which parallels Adler’s idea of a psychological withdrawal from action due to perceived weakness.
- Constructing Obstacles: This refers to creating barriers that prevent progress. An example in Scripture is found in the story of Jonah (Jonah 1). When God commands Jonah to go to Nineveh, he attempts to flee in the opposite direction, creating an obstacle to his mission. Jonah’s resistance to God’s will is a clear example of constructing obstacles, as he physically avoids the task rather than facing it head-on.
In both Adler’s theory and these Biblical examples, withdrawal is a means of avoiding discomfort or fear but ultimately prevents growth and fulfillment of purpose.
