If we feel the urge to rush in and ‘rescue’ other people from a current situation that is difficult for them, we must think again and consider who we are ‘rescuing, is it them, or is it ourselves?
It is often that we feel discomfort when those we care about are going through adversity, and this can cause us to want to save them from the painful experiences, and hence we struggle to see that it might be the opposite of what they really need.
In the moment, we can be unaware that the other person might potentially benefit in the future from their current struggles ,and on some occasions even appreciate the lessons they gained along the way. When we get into the habit of ‘rescuing’ people, we take away their autonomy to choose whether they decide how or what is right for them. An intervention can be appropriate when circumstances demand, such as if someone is not of sound mind and their life choices are causing harm to themselves and other people.
Also of course if we do not ‘rescue’ someone in imminent danger through something such as an accident and their lives depend on it, these are very different to deciding on the fate of the future by interfering without the agreement of the other person.
My final thoughts are if you feel the need to rescue someone, take a moment to consider their needs and speak with them before taking action, hear them clearly and explore the bigger picture by allowing them the space to decide if they need your help or not. Offering support is a wonderful thing for those in need, just sometimes knowing that someone is there for us if we need them to be is enough to make a difference.
