Statistics say that about sixty percent of people—more than half—experience imposter syndrome, but don’t quite realize why. Is it due to our socialization? Is it something from our family of origin? Culture of origin? Is it connected to a low-self self-esteem or false humility?
Imposter Syndrome is the internalized fear that I am a fraud – that my accomplishments, gifts, and talents don’t equal competence. That I am not enough; I don’t belong. I shouldn’t step into this promotion, accept this opportunity, or receive the recognition that God is bringing.
In Exodus 3:11, we see Moses grappling with a version of Imposter Syndrome when he protested to God,
“Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?”
It’s important to know where Imposter Syndrome comes from—so that we can acknowledge and counteract it. But it’s also worth noting that many of us are all too quick to devalue our own voices and downplay our own giftedness. And when we are stuck in that Imposter Syndrome place, we can grow jealous and start to diminish our accomplishments—because we can’t see all that God is doing in our lives.
At the end of the day, just like Moses, when God calls us into something, it’s not about our glory; it’s about his. It’s not about building our kingdoms; it’s about building his. It’s not about filling our stadiums; it’s about feeding his sheep. It’s not about our name in lights; it’s about allowing the light of the world to shine through us.
Therefore, we don’t have to live under Imposter Syndrome—because God loves to partner with his us in mighty, miraculous ways—for the name and renown of Jesus.
And yet, when those “impostery” thoughts creep in, there are some ways we can fight back:
- Acknowledge your feelings. The worst thing we can do is pretend like things are okay when they are not okay. Ignoring feelings does not conquer them; it only makes them grow larger. When you feel the imposter syndrome thoughts attacking you, don't judge yourself. Simply say, “Oh, I’m doing it again. Jesus, I invite you in here.” Then move forward.
- Retrain your brain. Neuroscience suggests we can create new pathways in our brains by thinking different thoughts. So, every time you begin to ruminate on those, “I am not enough. I am a fraud” kind of thought patterns, try replacing that thought with a more truthful, positive one like, “I am learning as I go and growing as I learn.” Or, “I may not be perfect but I have a lot to offer here.”
- Celebrate wins. It can be so easy to focus on how we fail, but if we can celebrate all the little victories, we’ll soon realize we are more ready and capable than we know.
- Equip yourself. If you feel ill-equipped, get training. Learn. Ask for advice. There is wisdom in going to experts to help you grow in confidence and skillsets.
In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul writes about the chain reaction caused by the resurrection of Jesus. He says, “After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. For the Scriptures say, ‘God has put all things under his authority’ (1 Cor. 15: 24-27).
Paul is saying that even the very worst thing Satan can throw at us—death—has been defeated by Jesus. The good news of the gospel is that we have a Savior who faced our greatest enemies—like a lion, like a giant slayer, like a champion—He was not an imposter—and he claimed the victory.
This means that anything you battle, anything that seeks to hurt or destroy you—anything that causes you to feel like I don’t belong here, I am a fraud, I am an imposter—you can face that thing with your head held high because Jesus won. Jesus is winning. Jesus will win. And somehow, uniquely, we have the privilege of sharing in his victory.
Everything we face, we face in the power of the resurrection and the hope of Jesus’ triumphant return. We fight our battles from a place of victory, not defeat.
Today, if the enemy the world, or your own thought life is trying to make you feel like an imposter, remind yourself of this truth today:
My doing comes from Jesus’ being. My being, from his doing. Therefore, there is no imposter syndrome in Christ.
Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Koldunova_Anna
