Do you ever feel like an imposter…living in fear that others will discover the real you? The you that doesn’t know everything, makes bad choices sometimes, says the wrong thing, and disappoints those closest to them?
The fear of what others think of us is the cause of so much distress in our lives. While many factors contribute to the root of these fears, the way it manifests in our lives can be destructive. Imposter Syndrome causes good ideas to not be heard, projects to never start, abilities and skills to sit idle, and perpetual, often debilitating, anxiety.
For some, it’s a real fear of being vulnerable in front of others. When we are vulnerable, other’s see the parts of us where we carry shame, guilt, and worry.
How does one break free from this paralyzing condition?
First, meditate on the truth of a heavenly Father who knows you better than you know yourself, and is faithful to never leave you and to love you perfectly! That is His promise to you if you will trust in Him. He knows all of those fears, failures, insecurities, and feelings of inadequacy and He never stops loving us.
This love is not like what you have experienced in the world. It is perfect, enduring love as Romans 8:38-39 reminds us, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
There is nothing about you that could ever separate you from the love and purpose God has for you! Here are some more scriptures to encourage you in this: John 3:16, 2 Chronicles 6:14, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:31-32, Psalm 36:7.
Second, rest in the truth that your performance is not your identity.
Your accomplishments, skills, abilities, title, and position are not who you are. They are tools given to you to carry out work that God pre-planned for you to do (Ephesians 2:10), but they are not and never were meant to be the source of who you are.
In Genesis 1:27, we read that God created you in His own image! You were designed specifically and purposefully to reflect a loving Creator! Jeremiah 1:5 also describes that God knew you before you ever came to be! 1 Peter 2:9 calls you a ‘royal priesthood’, a ‘chosen people’ who are called out of darkness and into God’s marvelous light! That’s who you are as a child of God!
Third, refocus your attention on what you actually need most, to know and love your Heavenly Father. The one who knows you completely and loves you perfectly!
In Luke 10:38-42, we see the familiar story of Martha and Mary. When Jesus visited their home, Martha got to work, busily performing her role as hostess while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet, hanging on every word. When Martha complained to Jesus about Mary’s lack of help, Jesus gently acknowledged that Mary chose wiser. Jesus is telling Martha that what she needed most, even more than being a good hostess, was a relationship with Him.
In relationship with Jesus, we can do all that He has prepared in advance for us to do. Rest your identity, worth, and value in Him, not in your roles, talents, or performance but in the One who equips you and surrounds you in all grace to carry out the tasks placed before you.