Safety, Human Flourishing, and God’s Providence: A Catholic Perspective

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Safety is an essential human concern and a foundational concept in understanding human flourishing and God’s providence. The American Psychological Association (APA) defines the "safety need" as “a desire for freedom from illness or danger and for a secure, familiar, and predictable environment.” This constitutes the second level of Maslow’s motivational hierarchy, immediately following basic physiological needs. While this definition provides a psychological framework, the Catholic perspective—and perhaps even traditional cultural insights—invites deeper consideration. Specifically, how does one reconcile the innate human desire for safety with the demands of faith, particularly in scenarios such as martyrdom or interpersonal conflict? The answer to this question hinges on the definition of human flourishing and the extent to which trust in God’s providence, grace, and the promise of eternal life are applied. This perspective often diverges from the purely psychological interpretation of safety.

Safety and Subjectivity in Psychological and Cultural Contexts

Psychologically, Maslow’s hierarchy posits safety as a fundamental need. However, this need is subject to individual interpretation, particularly in how "safety" is defined and pursued. For example, individuals diverging from traditional values may feel the “need” for affirmation, perceiving safety only through societal validation. This subjective interpretation often conflicts with what promotes true human flourishing, especially when choices contrary to moral truth and communal well-being are involved.

From a faith-based and cultural standpoint, the narrative shifts. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, alongside His call to discipleship, demonstrate that earthly safety is often secondary to eternal concerns. Scripture underscores this reality, as seen in the beatitudes and Christ’s admonitions to prioritize eternal rewards over earthly comfort (cf. Matthew 5; 16:24-26; 6:24; Luke 14:26). Traditional rites of passage in many cultures likewise emphasize selflessness and the recognition of true dangers, placing lesser discomforts in proper perspective. Biblical examples, such as the experiences of the prophets and the exile—prefiguring Christ—further illustrate the importance of interpreting suffering through the lens of redemption, eternal life, and divine love. These themes transcend physiological needs and challenge individuals to align subjective interpretations of safety with eternal realities.

Balancing Subjective Safety and Eternal Trust

A critical question arises: how can individuals internalize a proper understanding of safety in the eternal sense without undermining subjective, human interpretations of safety? Scripture offers reassurance, as seen in Psalm 91:4: “[God] will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.” Similarly, Jeremiah’s lament (“Terror is all around! Denounce him! Let us denounce him!” – Jeremiah 20:10) reflects trust in God despite external threats.

Catholic sources often identify seven fundamental desires of the human heart: to be heard and understood, affirmed and validated, included in communion, safe and protected, touched and comforted, chosen and wanted, and blessed and transcendent. These interrelated desires illustrate the human need for communion, love, and justice. In this context, emotional safety is often misconstrued. Older generations may fail to recognize abusive tendencies, viewing them as formative, while younger generations risk overcorrection, prioritizing comfort to the detriment of moral growth. For instance, societal trends normalizing the use of pleasure-inducing substances like marijuana reflect disordered pleasure-seeking that undermines true flourishing.

Emotional Safety, Formation, and Virtue

The distinction between emotional stasis and safety is pivotal. True love, as emphasized in Catholic teaching, involves both suffering and joy. Intimacy requires a foundation of safety, but it is through intimacy that individuals find their fullest selves (cf. Gaudium et Spes 24). While emotional ease is valuable, it should not supersede the pursuit of holiness. The Catechism reminds us that God desires our ultimate happiness, even if it necessitates temporary discomfort to achieve it rightly (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 618).

Bishop Robert Barron and Jordan Peterson have highlighted the value of rites of passage as cultural norms. These rituals teach individuals to confront fears, fostering freedom from the enslavement of comfort. The Christian life requires courage and fortitude, as exemplified by Scripture’s repeated exhortations to “be not afraid.” Treating comfort as the ultimate good, as in Epicurean philosophy, contradicts Christian virtue and leads to spiritual sloth (acedia). Instead, suffering and surrender to God’s will illuminate grace and deepen trust in His providence.

Concluding thoughts

In conclusion, we can think about the exchange in The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe: “Aslan is a lion- the Lion, the great Lion." "Ooh" said Susan. "I'd thought he was a man. Is he-quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion"..."Safe?" said Mr Beaver ..."Who said anything about safe? 'Course he isn't safe. But he's good. He's the King, I tell you.” At what point does the pursuit of "safety" eclipse trust in God’s will? Well, when rather than protecting what is sacred and pursuing what is truly good. We were made good, but in a world such as this one often find a great need for fortitude in the pursuit of good. This is where a loose or disordered understanding of safety becomes problematic, because change of elf is necessary, but it also does not follow that the pursuit of good must always and to the greatest degree undermine emotional safety, because we have a God Who has our interests and true self in mind. How can individuals discern their paths forward amidst suffering without losing sight of salvation’s demands? One does this by way of surrender.[3] These questions call for a balance between subjective safety and the eternal perspective, challenging believers to embrace the fullness of life in Christ while recognizing the transformative power of suffering in light of divine providence.

Written by Carter Carruthers

FN:

  1. American Psychological Association, “Safety Need,” APA Dictionary of Psychology, last updated April 19, 2018, https://dictionary.apa.org/safety-need.
  2. Robert Barron, “Go on a Hero’s Journey - Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon,” YouTube video, posted by Bishop Robert Barron, August 6, 2022, http://www.youtube.com.
  3. Carter Carruthers, "Defining Surrender and Applying it Well", Vivat Agnus Dei, December 15, 2024.

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