The Three Universal Needs

By: Diane Pearce, PhD, LMFT

We are all born into this life with three core emotional/relational needs:
1) Security 
2) Significance
3) Stability 

As we study the early years of infancy & childhood, we develop an understanding of where these needs are met.  Children grow to understand that when their parents are nearby, they are more secure than when they are far away. Or, perhaps the security comes from another care-giver, like a grandparent.

No matter who or where one should go to get these needs met, these elements influence our development early in life. 
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If these three needs are met properly from our family of origin in the early years, then typically, our cognitive development progresses as it should and is not delayed. However, often times this is not the case. Sometimes this can contribute to a mental disorder or perhaps a reduced resiliency in the face of trauma. 

Anyone who did not get one of these needs met in childhood has the opportunity to have each of these needs met in relationship with our maker!

It is God who makes us secure because He is always with us!
(Holy Bible, NIV, Psalms 27:1, Isa. 49:16)
It is God who makes us significant because He created us and sent His only son to die for us, so we must be important to Him! 
​(Holy Bible, NIV, Psalms 139:13-14, Isa.43:4)
It is God who makes us stable because He is our sufficiency!
(Holy Bible, NIV, Isa. 46:3-4)

We, as His children & His creation, can be secure, significant & stable! WE can find these in our relationship with Abba, Father!