My Friend: Me

Most of us need something to accompany us whenever we do household chores, work out, or travel. For some, it’s their favourite musician such as Ilayaraaja or A. R. Rahman; for others, their favourite preacher. The reason we seek this company is that, if we allow our minds to wander, they’ll remind us of pending bills, past failures, or shame. That’s why we turn to social media, YouTube, Spotify, or FM radio to divert our minds.

There’s an old Tamil song I remember now that goes, “Naane enakku nanban illaiye” which means “I am not my friend…” The truth is, we don’t have the courage to face ourselves. The reason why a concept of entertainment was created was because one’s own company didn’t seem good enough. We’re the ones who trained our minds to be like this, focusing only on negative things. A person spends most of their life with themselves rather than with others. They speak to themselves the most. If a person is not a friend to themselves, time will feel like hell.

If your heart is in accordance with God, you will certainly be your own friend. But if your heart aligns with the world and flesh (the carnal nature of fallen Adam), you will become your own nemesis. It’s simple logic. Your flesh—the inherited, fallen nature of Adam—will constantly whisper, ‘You’re not enough…’ The world will keep saying, ‘Your time isn’t auspicious, your circumstances aren’t good… things are only going to get worse…’ These two know nothing except how to criticise or terrify us.

But the Word of God speaks only good things about us. It tells us how we are loved by God and how important we are to Him. It speaks of the glorious plans He has for us and guides us on how to trust in the certainty of His plans. If your heart is filled with such positive thoughts, then it means you have a best friend by your side.

Genesis 49:21 says, “Naphtali is a doe let loose; he utters beautiful words.” In the Tamil Bible, the Apostle John is called “Divya Vasagan,” meaning “one who speaks sweet words.” Take inspiration from Naphtali and John by speaking kind and uplifting words to yourself. Embrace the role of a Divya Vasagan—one who speaks sweet words—to yourself. With this practice, you’ll find greater peace and joy in your own company.

Whenever I do my chores, work out, or travel, I drown in thoughts of how miraculously God has guided me up to today, and I ponder the glorious, great plans He has for me. These dreams of my future rejuvenate me, preventing me from ageing and taking me back to my twenties.

I am worried that I have missed such a beloved friend for a long time. My friend, me, knows God. God has given me him because He cannot speak corporeally. I cannot distinguish between his voice and the Holy Spirit’s voice because he speaks to me the Word of God. He encourages me by reminding me of the goodness that God has done for me, consoling me with, ‘There’s no need to worry…’ He pushes me forward toward my goals. Whenever I spend time with him, I feel the way how Enoch felt when he walked with God. Having this friend throughout my life is an utter joy!