191 – Am I am Imposter?

#FaithBites #FaithJourney Imposter

Are you a fake? Maybe a phony? Maybe you feel like you don’t belong. You aren’t good enough, smart enough, talented enough to be where you are. Someone must have mad a mistake letting you get in. You are an imposter.

Until recently, I hadn’t heard of imposter syndrome. The definition from Joe Lanford and Pauline Rose Clance states “Impostor syndrome (also known as impostor phenomenon, impostorism, fraud syndrome or the impostor experience) is a psychological pattern in which an individual doubts their accomplishments, and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a “fraud”. I first hear this at work in relation to students not feeling like they are good enough to get into medical school and then physicians who felt they weren’t good enough to be doctors.

After thinking about it more, I feel like that every day. I’m not faithful enough to be a lay director at church. What do I know about faculty development, I don’t have the experience of X,Y,Z. I am a fraud, a phony, an imposter.

I battle with myself over this daily, maybe this is part of my anxiety in life. Maybe if I do more, achieve more, then I will feel like I belong, that I am no longer a fake. That if I do one more thing, then I will make it. It reminds me of the old saying “Fake it, till you make it”.

Are you an imposter in Christ? Or do you feel like an imposter when you talk about your faith journey?

Scripture about Feeling like an Imposter

•  Such confidence we have through Christ before God.Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. – 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

Reflection

Imposter syndrome is a psychological affliction that we all have. It spans professions, races, religions, genders, and class. We all have felt it.  The scriptures for today show that we need help to overcome this feeling. We are to be ministers, doctors, lawyers, parents, witnesses, and every other profession or calling through the Lord. He gives us the feeling and the support we need. Through him, we are not imposters but servants. I know these are flowery words. It’s easy to say give it to God and all is good. While that is true, the human condition prevents us from always doing it. We compare ourselves to others and try to see where we fail. My suggestion, is you are where you are because you belong. God has given you circumstances in your lives to prepare you for the challenges ahead. Life through the Lord is not easy, but his grace is sufficient. YOU BELONG.

Charge

Think about where you are in life. Then think about all the situations and experiences that have prepared you for where you are at. It isn’t chance or luck that put you where you are. Through hard word, determinitation, and faith, you belong. Then think about how you can help others who feel like imposters. Will you share your story with others to help them in their struggle? Will the Lord be with you when you do?

I will share my story and remember I am where I belong with the help of God.