Overcoming: imposter Syndrome

Megan McArdle once said, “fear of being unmasked as the incompetent you ‘really’ are is so common that it actually has a clinical name: impostor syndrome.” What is the imposter syndrome, and why does it cripple many people, even Christians.  

Before we dive deeper, let’s pray. Father, I thank you for this beautiful soul, and I thank that these words will penetrate deep within their soul. Thank you that they will receive freedom from all insecurities and learn to trust you more. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen 

The Impostor syndrome (IS) is defined as an internal experience of believing that you are not as competent as others perceive you to be. This definition is usually narrowly applied to intelligence and achievement; it is often linked to perfectionism and social interactions.

Some characteristics of the imposter syndrome are: 

• Fear that you won’t live up to expectations others set for you, or you set for yourself
• Self-doubt
• Attributing your success to external factors like your job, etc. 
• Setting very challenging goals and feeling disappointed when you fall short. 

If any of these characteristics resonate with you, you are battling imposter syndrome and are not alone. According to research, those who struggle with imposter syndrome are often the most successful. From a biblical point of view, it is an attack from the enemy to cause you to shift your eyes from God to your own ability. Of course, the imposter syndrome exists because so many of us look to our own accolades and others’ feedback to dictate our abilities instead of focusing on the fact that we can’t do anything without abiding in Jesus. It is not by might nor power but by the Spirit of God. Once the enemy has shifted our focus from that truth, he whispers in our ears that we are not qualified or causes us to fall into the comparison trap, comparing ourselves to others and ignoring the fact that God has a unique plan for all of us. Thus, we should look up to the hills, not the false reality surrounding us. 

My own experience with imposter syndrome has not been easy. I know that I have the proper qualifications, but for some odd reason, I feel as if others always see my mistakes and shortcomings; thus, they, too, think I am inadequate and unable to meet the expectations that they hold me up to. Notice all of this happens in the mind. They are all assumptions. No one has ever come to me and said these things; it’s all vain imaginations that I allowed to take strongholds in my mind. Still, I thank God that Holy Spirit constantly reminds me that I have the power to bring every vain imagination into captivity––we all have that power according to 2 Corinthians 10:5. Maybe, you are also that person who allows these vain imaginations to imprison you from being confident. Jeremiah— prophet, reformer, author—a man called and ordained by God to be an intercessor and minister for the most crucial time for God’s people; their captivity in Babylon. When God called him, he didn’t respond with confidence, but rather, he said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.” But God said to him, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.” God is saying the same thing to you today, do not be afraid; if I gave that job to you, I have already placed everything on the inside of you that you need to accomplish. Do not listen to the enemy’s lies that you are not good enough; your degree and experience don’t qualify you, but I do. My Spirit is given to teach you all that you need. “Then the Lord reached out his hand, touched my mouth, and said, “I have put my words in your mouth.” Notice God reached out and touched Jeremiah’s tongue before he went out, the same way God will not send you to accomplish something he didn’t qualify you to accomplish. The enemy whispers this lie to you because God’s power and authority in you threaten his kingdom!

Overcoming the Imposter Syndrome 

If you currently feel like this feeling is consuming you, encourage you to allow the Spirit of God to pray through and for you. Romans 8:26-27 says, 

“In the same way, the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” The will of God is for you to walk in your God-given authority as a conqueror over the lies of the enemy. Jesus gave you that right when he rose after three days because death could not hold him down, the lies of the enemy can not hold you down, but all that takes trust in the Spirit of God. Trust that Holy Spirit will touch your tongue before you step foot in that meeting. He will give you the ideas for that new project. You need to trust that God is for you, and if he is for you, no one can’t be against you. Please don’t trust in your ability but in his will for your life.

prayer

so, God, I pray that your Spirit will lead me and keep me: teach me to trust in your calling over my life each day. Teach me to overcome the enemy’s lies and hold on to your truth that the blood qualifies me. God, open my eyes to your truth and close my ears to the enemy’s lies. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen! 

God bless you for reading. I hope you felt blessed.