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Abstract
Alder identified three safeguarding tendencies: excuses, aggression, and withdrawal.
These tendencies stem from Alder's belief that individuals develop behavioral patterns to shield
their inflated self-esteem from public attention. Among these tendencies, withdrawal will be the
focus of our investigation, because I have personally experienced it. Withdrawal involves
protecting one's inflated sense of superiority by creating distance between oneself and one's
challenges (Feist, 2021).
Withdrawal (Selected Safeguarding Tendency)
Withdrawal encompasses four modes of safeguarding: moving backward, standing still,
hesitating, and constructing obstacles. The moving backward tendency involves escaping to a
more secure spot to in order to feel more superiority and control. Standing still is characterized
by a lack of action, serving as a strategy to avoid the risk of failure. Hesitating manifests as
procrastination, giving individuals the excuse that it is "too late now" to take action. The fourth
mode, constructing obstacles, entails creating barriers to success, which individuals can then
either use as excuses for failure or overcome to protect their self-esteem (Feist, 2021).
Examples Of Safeguarding In Scripture
An example of withdrawal safeguarding in scripture can be demonstrated throughout the
story of Jonah. When God called Jonah to go to the city of Nineveh to deliver the message of
repentance, Jonah withdrew by fleeing in the opposite direction, boarding a ship bound for
Tarshish (Jonah 1:1-3, English Standard Version, 2001). Jonah's withdrawal stemmed from his
fear and reluctance to carry out God's command. Instead of facing the challenge of delivering a
difficult message to a sinful city, Jonah opted to distance himself from the situation altogether.
By fleeing, Jonah sought to protect his interests and avoid the potential consequences of obeying
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God's call. However, as the story unfolds, Jonah learns that withdrawal does not escape God's
plan. Despite his attempts to run away, God pursues Jonah and ultimately uses him to fulfill His
purpose in Nineveh. Jonah's example serves as a reminder that withdrawing from difficult
situations may seem like a safeguarding tactic, but ultimately, it cannot change God's sovereign
plan. (Jonah 1:1-3, English Standard Version, 2001)
Safeguarding Tendancys In My Life (Withdrawal)
In my own life, when I am faced with an extremely challenging task or difficult situation,
I find myself finding ways to avoid confrontation or responsibility altogether. In situations where
I withdraw, I isolate myself from others, preferring solitude and silence to avoid potential
judgment or failure. Another withdrawal safeguarding tendency within my life is procrastination.
When I procrastinate, I am directly avoiding taking action and convincing myself that I will
eventually deal with the issue later as I try to create distance from said issue/problem. Often
times, I will try to find additional ways to escape or numb myself from the stress that I feel, but
oftentimes, escaping from the situation helps me the most. These examples illustrate how
withdrawal can serve as a coping mechanism to protect one's self-esteem, but ultimately, it can
hinder personal growth and prevent people from facing and overcoming challenges healthily.
Biblical Perspective on Safeguarding Tendencies
From a biblical perspective, safeguarding tendencies can demonstrate how various people
struggle with doing wrong things. Throughout scripture, The Bible mentions “The heart is
deceitful above all things and desperately sick; who can understand it? our hearts can be tricky
and sinful (Jeremiah 17:9, English Standard Version, 2001). This verse goes on to show that
people naturally try to stand up, explain, and try to defend themselves. When things get tough,
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they might make excuses, get mad, or hideaway. Often we make excuses or act aggressively
when we feel threatened. However, the Bible also tells us to trust God and not just ourselves
(Proverbs 3:5-6, English Standard Version, 2001). So, instead of trying to protect ourselves, we
should trust God to guide us. When we rely on God, we don't need to guard our egos so much.
We can truly live the way God wants us to.
