The Drowning Man and the Wisdom of Recognizing Help
There’s a well-known parable often shared in spiritual circles -Jewish, Christian, and beyond - that speaks to the heart of what it means to trust in a higher power and take responsibility for our part.
A devout man finds himself trapped in a flood. As the waters rise, he prays earnestly for God to save him. Soon, a neighbor paddles by in a canoe and offers help. “No thanks,” the man says, “God will save me.”
A rescue team arrives in a boat. Again, he declines. “God will save me.”
Finally, a helicopter hovers overhead, but he waves it off. “God will save me.”
Eventually, the man drowns. When he meets God, he asks, “Why didn’t you save me?”
God replies, “I sent you a canoe, a boat, and a helicopter. What more were you waiting for?”
This story is often told with a smile, but its message is profound: faith is not passive. Trusting in God—or any higher power—doesn’t mean sitting still and waiting for miracles. It means staying open, alert, and willing to act when help arrives in unexpected forms.
In recovery, as in life, divine help often comes through people, systems, and opportunities already around us. The key is to recognize it, respond to it, and move with it.
This parable pairs naturally with The Ship’s Captain and the Power of Surrendered Action. Both remind us that while we may be “under God,” we are also called to steer, decide, and act. Surrender is not about giving up—it’s about showing up, with faith and courage, ready to do our part.
MAP: SURRENDER
About Jason Bresnehan
Jason is the founder of Evahan, a consultancy dedicated to helping individuals and organizations build both financial and legacy wealth. With over 30 years of leadership across sectors and continents, he brings commercial acumen, strategic insight, and lived experience to every engagement. His work spans business transformation, venture management, and M&A, always grounded in a belief that ideas—shared with clarity, balance, and respect—can improve individuals, families, communities, and society.
A strong advocate for freedom, limited government, and enterprise-driven progress, Jason also draws deeply from his personal recovery journey—an experience that reshaped his life and fuels his commitment to growth, contribution, and principled living. Through writing, speaking, and service, he continues to learn, share, and speak with purpose.
I can be engaged (on a remunerated or volunteer basis) to sit on Boards, Committees, Advisory and Reference Group Panels, and to speak to Business, Community, and Youth groups. I’m also open to providing comment to media on topics where I have relevant experience or insight. Please feel free to make contact.