One True Friend

I’m not sure if you can relate to this, but for a long time, I was under the impression that I was the only person I could truly rely on. I’m not sure where it originated from, whether it was being hurt by people or maybe it’s just in my nature to be self-sufficient and headstrong, but I felt it was crucial to never let myself become too open or vulnerable with others and, honestly, even with myself. I already know that this is an extremely dangerous philosophy.

Naturally, we are programmed to want to belong and connect with others but I always felt there was a certain threshold that I was aware of but could never cross. Not only did I feel this way about others, I let it spill over into my relationship with God, attributing human fickleness and unreliability to His perfect nature. Although I knew in theory that God was my Friend as well as my LORD and Saviour, something held me back from being wholeheartedly honest with Him. After all, I couldn’t even really admit to myself when I felt too strongly about something. Whenever I felt an overwhelming emotion my initial reaction was to discredit it, ignore it and hope it somehow faded away and while this worked temporarily, I had no idea of the consequences.

I’m sure you know the hymn, “What A Friend We Have in Jesus”, it’s become an anthem amongst believers and it beautifully conveys the message of friendship that the LORD offers to us. It reads:

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What a friend we have in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear

And what a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit

Oh, what needless pain we bear

All because we do not carry

Everything to God in prayer

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Jesus is the Ultimate Friend. He has any and every attribute you could desire in a friend and much more. Understanding this was liberating for me because I finally realised that there is Someone who never, ever tires of me. Where people would give up on me or label me a lost cause He continues to lead me. In situations where people will not or cannot be there for me, He always is. He is always faithful. Knowing this, for the first time I was able to confide in Someone completely. It’s comforting to know that wherever I may be I’m never truly alone and even when I'm in over my head in certain situations He has it all under control. It’s like permanently knowing the outcome in every possible contingency and it gave me a life-altering peace. It changed the way I see things because now when I’m faced with challenges I know that even if the worst-case scenario were to actually occur (which I’m quite certain it won’t) God will protect and keep me, He will preserve my heart and guide me and listen to me until I’m out of that valley, and honestly, it’s far better to be in a valley with the one and only invincible God than up on the mountain all alone.

I used to have the misconception that God wouldn't be able to understand my mind, that I was just too far gone in my thoughts and that He was too holy to understand my struggles with worldly temptations. It was almost like a feeling of shame or apprehension to share my feelings with Him. I believed my problems were just something I was meant to keep to myself. I realised though, that while on Earth, Jesus was faced with every single temptation and struggle we can imagine. Lust, anger, money, hunger, anxiety, lethargy - all of it. There is nothing that is too evil or too difficult for Him to understand because He overcame it all. Who can understand your struggles better than the One who experienced and triumphed over them? All it takes is a little prayer, a little conversation for God to begin a good work in your life. It doesn’t have to be overnight and the journey doesn’t have to be perfect, but the more you talk to God the more comfortable you will be sharing with Him and the more you will begin to emulate Him in your own life.

Like the song says, when we make God our Best Friend, confiding in Him, trusting Him, loving Him, simply talking to Him, we get rid of all the needless pain we bear and cast it on Him. Life becomes easy as He handles everything we need. We are made free! And the Bible says, “ So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NIV)

I hope you will accept God as your Saviour and Friend and allow Him to give you peace. No matter how messed up you might think you are, He desires to know you and make you righteous in His eyes if you’ll only let Him.