In a world full of social media comparison traps, internet worm holes, and impractical standards we hold ourselves to, it’s easy to get caught up in feeling unqualified, unable, and unsatisfied with our progress. When God sets us up with a task, these toxic feelings can creep in. Good news, listener, today we’re talking about 6 ways to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life, and embrace the identity of Christ as able.
CLICK PLAY TO LISTEN: EP 13
#1: Trust that You Are Appointed
What is imposter syndrome? How does it affect me? What does it look like in my life today? We need a clear definition of what imposter syndrome is before we can begin to combat it. Who knows, you may be walking around experiencing it and not realizing it yet.
My pal, Oxford says that imposter syndrome is the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills. It goes on to say, “people suffering from impostor syndrome may be at increased risk of anxiety.”
Who would like a little more anxiety in their life? Anyone? No? I didn’t think so. If your red flag alert isn’t going off yet, know that if imposter syndrome increases your chances of anxiety, you don’t want any part of it.
Biblical Lens of Imposter Syndrome
Now, a Biblical lens to put on this. Let’s briefly address what we, as sinful humans, deserve. The short answer: a one way ticket to hell is exactly what we deserve. If the story stops here, you won’t have any success to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life.
But, the story does continue. Through God’s plan, He sent Jesus to sacrifice his life to save us from our sins, and we can opt out of that one way ticket to hell by choosing to follow Christ. See last week’s episode 12 for a deeper dive on that.
Here’s an interesting take: If imposter syndrome is the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills, then this is true of all of us, because we all fall short of the glory of God.
Here’s the truth for us, believers: We don’t deserve the good gifts God gives us, but He gives them to us anyway! Use these gifts to honor Him and point others to Him (more on this in a bit).
The first way to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life is realizing that if you are a believer, you can fully lean into the fact that God has placed you where you are on purpose, for a purpose. You didn’t do it on your own, you were appointed to do it. Tell God thanks, and walk confidently, sister!
#2: Trust God is Sovereign
Way number two to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life: Trust God is Sovereign. Fancy Christian word alert! Oxford says that the word “sovereign” means supreme ruler, and with the Christian lens, God has:
- Authority: God is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, and has unlimited authority
- Control: God has control over all things, and nothing can stop God’s purposes
- Presence: God is present with his people and throughout creation
- Creation: God created the world and governs it
- Time: God is outside of time, and has no beginning or end.
This is the guy who is equipping you, so stop letting imposter syndrome hold you back from what He’s calling you to do. He knows exactly what He’s doing, knows all the moving parts, and is in control of all the things.
He purposely gave you specific talents and passions, and paired those up with specific callings for you. It wasn’t an accident. You have been given the identity of able because the King of Kings has made it so. The second way to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life by trusting that God is sovereign.
#3: Trust God’s Promises
Hear me, believer, the moment you crossed the line of faith your identity in Christ is solidified. You have been called and equipped by God to fulfill His purpose. As Christians, we can do so many things that honor God, like telling others about Him, changing the world for the better, being the best mom you can be, and so on…
He will equip you. If you want to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life, remember that God does what He says He’s going to do. You are able because God enables you.
Scripture to Back This Up
Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Not sure what to do? Good news! I am able because God is able! He shows us which steps to take as we seek Him.
John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” When the way seems to dark, He will shine His light. When you feel unable, ill-equipped, not ready, He is, and He will see you through what He’s calling you to do.
2 Corinthians 3:5 says, “It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.” I love the honesty in this verse so much that it makes me laugh. We, by ourselves, can’t even do anything substantial. The only way we are able to do anything good is because of God. I’m so thankful He enables us!
2 Corinthians 9:8 says, “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” There are a ton of verses about God’s provision, and looking through the lens of being able, we can see that God comes through.
Philippians 4:13 says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Such a classic verse, and it’s a great one to write on our hearts. It’s not us who is strong, but it’s God working in us, equipping us. He is our source of ability, and He will provide.
Colossians 1:12 says, “always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light.” We can thank God as our provider. He gives us the ability to tell others about who is He and what He does. Don’t overcomplicate it; you’re able!
The third way to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life is to remember God’s promise that He will enable you and equip you to fulfill His purposes. He’s got a plan, and it includes your trust in Him.
#4: God Gives Opportunities for Good
The fourth way to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life is to trust the God gives opportunities for good. Has God ever called you to do something, and just the thought of it is terrifying to you? Maybe that’s to serve your country, quit your job to pursue a new direction, go on a mission trip, or even, gulp, coach the 1st grade cheerleading squad.
Growth with God means getting out of our comfort zones and have the mindset shift that growth is good, and kingdom growth is even better! Everything God is calling you to will work together for good. Remember, God is sovereign. He knows all the moving parts, and He is allowing you to step up and quarterback a few things.
The Bible calls us ambassadors, which gives us the opportunity to lead and represent God. You have been appointed by a sovereign God who will enable you to follow through on the opportunities He gives you. The fourth way to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life is to trust the God gives opportunities for good.
#5: Trust that God Can Handle Your Imposter Syndrome
Cool, Brooke, but do you have an example from the Bible? I don’t think I can do this thing He’s asking me. Also, I just don’t want to do it either. I would like to respectfully decline this particular opportunity. Are these feelings normal? Glad you asked! Yes, sometimes those feelings can creep in and you are not alone in that.
But remember, we’re here to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life so that you can do what God has called you to do. He has appointed you, He is sovereign, you can trust His promises, and He is working everything for good. The fifth way to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life is by trusting that God can handle your imposter syndrome. Yes, I do have an example from the Bible (many to choose from, but this one stood out to me).
Brooke Breakdown: Moses (Beginning, Exodus 1-2)
Time travel time! Let’s go back to roughly between 15th to 13th century BCE to the time of Moses. I love his story for a number of reasons. But first, the Brooke Breakdown leading up to Moses and his noteworthy role. This is from Exodus chapters 1 and 2, so be sure to read it yourself to fill in the gaps all the details I skip in this recap:
- Adam, Eve, and the fall of man
- Noah’s Ark
- Jacob & Esau
- Joseph and the cool coat (Joseph and fam were in Egypt because of that famine)
- Time passes and the Israelites multiply greatly in Egypt
- Pharaoh freaks out because of this and enslaves all of them…no bueno
- The Israelites kept populating, which freaked Pharaoh out even more, so his horrific idea was to get rid of all the baby boys so they don’t grow up into future fathers; thus creating more Israelites.
- Baby Moses in a basket, but plot twist! Pharaoh’s daughter finds the baby, and takes him in and begins to raise him up
- Years later, Moses went out to Midian to see his fellow Hebrews, is horrified at their slavery, murders an Egyptian, and hides the evidence (like I said, skipping a lot of details here).
- Many years passed, and God looks down on His people and knew it was time to act.
Take a second to reflect on Moses’ life. He went from almost murdered as a baby to murderer of an Egyptian. He was feeling all the feelings. Can you imagine? He was seeing his people hurting, fighting amongst themselves, and wanting to do something about it, but didn’t have the means to do that…yet.
Brooke Breakdown: Moses Becomes Able
Moses was unqualified. He wasn’t able to stop this circumstance of slavery. He wan’t able to help his people. It didn’t matter what he tried, nothing worked. Until God gave Moses an opportunity for good. Here’s Brooke Breakdown of Exodus 3. Let’s see what happens:
- Moses was tending to some sheep and the angel of the Lord appears like a blazing fire from the middle of a bush
- The bush isn’t burning up, and Moses is like, “WHHHHAAAATTTT???!?! I’ve got to check this out.”
- Then God’s like, “Hey, buddy, it’s me!” and Moses was like, “AH!”
- God tells Moses that He sees how bad this situation is, and then says this to Moses:
“Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”
Exodus 3:9-10
And then Moses says, “AHHHH!” again, followed by a “No thanks.” A straight up protest. Have you ever been like, uh yeah, no way I’m doing that. That’s what Moses is feeling in this moment. Here’s what Moses says back in protest to God in verse 13:
“But Moses protested to God, ‘Who am I to appear before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?’”
Exodus 3:13
Moses is in full on imposter syndrome mode. He feels unqualified as a leader, and for such a huge role. How would you feel if God asked you to take on this task? Remember, God gives opportunities for good, and God just told Moses to go play a pivotal role in the freeing the Israelites.
So, did God strike Moses down with a bolt of lightning for having these feelings and bringing them to Him? No way! God can handle you big feels about imposter syndrome, so how about taking those fears to God, and see what He does about it? God tells Moses that He will be with him in big, obvious ways.
Moses takes it in and then protests again! In verse 13, Moses is rattling off potential hypothetical questions that others could ask, and he won’t know how to reply? What do I say, God?
Take it to God
Oh man, who feels this? Who has hypothetical conversations in their head about a potential thing that might happen? It’s all of us! Here’s the difference, Moses is taking these questions to the best source ever: God!
God reassures Moses, gives him some promises to lean on, and then God tells the Moses, who is now the designated quarterback the plays to call. We can see step by step God enabling Moses to fulfill this task.
You got some big feelings about being unequipped? Great! Here’s what to do. The fifth way to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life is by taking the imposter syndrome to God.
#6: Trust the Training
The sixth way to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life is to trust the training. We can trust the training because God is the trainer. His methods and processes are perfect, never fail, and always get good results. I don’t know about you, but I’m going to opt into His coaching program.
Follower of Jesus, the second you crossed the line of faith, your training began. Day by day, little by little, God has been refining you, and will continue to do so until you get to Heaven.
He is a good God, so He’s not going to give you an assignment, some tools, and give you zero know-how. That would be like you making first string quarterback, never having played, been handed a ball, and said, you better win!
No! God is right there with you, equipping you, coaching you, and anytime you have a question or concern, He will always meet with you and hear you out. He will guide you, direct your steps, and make every single other moving part work in His favor. Oh, we’re you looking for a playbook too? It’s called the Holy Bible. Check out this verse:
“All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17
If you want to stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life, try looking at God’s playbook. It explicitly states that God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. Have you been looking for direction, asking for guidance, but have kept your Bible shut?
Crack that thing open, sister and start reading! You can even take the scriptures we’ve covered today, and go highlight them. Workout number one! There you go! I’ll recap all the verses in a second, so you can press pause, grab your Bible, and get ready to highlight. Stop imposter syndrome from sabotaging your life!
Episode Recap
- #1: Trust that You Are Appointed: He put your there on purpose
- #2: Trust God is Sovereign: He knows what He’s doing
- #3: Trust God’s Promises: Scriptures saying He will enable you
- #4: Trust that God Gives Opportunities for Good: Remember Moses
- #5: Trust that God Can Handle Your Imposter Syndrome: Moses and his protesting
- $6: Trust the Training: God’s the best coach, read His playbook
Scripture Recap
- Proverbs 3:5-6
- 1 John 1:5
- 2 Corinthians 3:5
- 2 Corinthians 9:8
- Philippians 4:13
- Colossians 1:12
- Exodus chapters 1-3
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
I am the daughter of the King. I am chosen, forgiven, redeemed. I am loved and I belong. I am bold, brave, and strong. I am seen. I’m accepted. I am able. I’m protected. Through Him I can do anything. Because I’m the daughter of the King.
Busy Christian Mom Credo, Brooke Collier
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