Welcome to the show notes for Episode 73 of the Leading From Alignment Podcast.

We live in a time where depression, anxiety, and suicide are on a rapid rise in the United States. One of the pillars of mental and emotional well-being is the relationship with have with ourself. In today’s pod John & Jim unpack why becoming our own best friend matters, and explore four practical behaviors to get us there.

Insights from John & Jim

Matthew 22:36-39: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” The most important command in the Bible is a 3-parter – it commands us to love God and to love our neighbor – but Jesus also commands us to love ourselves. Question is, how do we love ourselves without becoming a self-centered narcissist? Here are four practical behaviors:

1. Healthy self-talk – How I talk to myself about myself – No one talks to you about you more than you do – so be kind with the words you say about yourself.
2. Self-care vs. self-centeredness – Jesus in Matthew 22 wasn’t advocating self-centeredness. In Acts 20 the apostle Paul was saying farewell to a group of Ephesian leaders. He urged them in verse 28 – “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.” “Keep watch” –  means “to attend to, to pay attention to, to devote thought and effort to.” Becoming your own best friend means caring about others while at the same time caring for yourself.
3. Embrace God’s opinion of you – Psalm 139. Becoming your own best friend means embracing God’s opinion of you – and His opinion is you’re worth loving without strings attached, you’re the apple of His eye, and you’re never outside of His thoughts! Becoming your own best friend fourthly includes
4. Caring for your soul – Proverbs 19:8 tells us: “He who gets wisdom loves his own soul.” Our thoughts . . . and the emotions we attach to them, require tender, loving, care.

One last thought:

Your capacity to love your spouse, your kids, your neighbor, your workmates, even your enemies, is directly related to the degree you become your own best friend.