Do you question your ability and even your right to profess your faith to others—afraid you’ll mess up and be exposed as an imposter? I have a feeling many of us struggle with this. Whether we’re in some kind of ministry or not. But how can we overcome imposter syndrome?
Still There?
I was not blessed with good teeth when I was a kid—or maybe I should say the prettiest. They were white and strong, but my two front teeth were not only gapped but crooked.
They were the bane of my childhood. Already quiet and reserved, I didn’t smile much for fear that I would make a spectacle of myself. I would cringe when adults commented on my need for braces—highlighting my flaw. And I retreated even more when I was called buck-toothed by a little boy who got mad at me while playing kickball.
Braces gave me new teeth. But sometimes it feels like that little gap-toothed girl is still inside me. Waiting for someone to expose her.
I used to think imposter syndrome only plagued those in ministry.
Preachers and teachers and evangelists traveling to the far reaches of the earth all deal with it at one time or another, but we all live for Christ wherever we are.
But so many of us hold back for fear of being called a hypocrite. How could we talk to someone else about Jesus when we have so much to learn ourselves? When we mess up so often?
When we feel like that gap-toothed child smiling a crooked, imperfect smile?
Reminders for Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
#1 – Living a life for Christ is about accepting the grace of Christ—not perfection.
How easy it is for us to wander—forgetting the whole point of the gospel of Christ! The truth is I am a gap-toothed girl with the braces of Christ making me straight and true. It’s not a fault to be hidden but a gift to be proclaimed.
#2 – Could there actually be a problem with people-pleasing behind the fears of being exposed as an imposter?
So many things in my life come right back to people-pleasing. What will people say if they see me mess up?
#3 – What better testimony do we have?
Let’s say our fears of being exposed actually happened. Would that not be the perfect opener to talk about grace in our lives?
#4 – Satan is on a mission to curb our effectiveness as God’s children.
Satan hates our guts. He hates everything about us, because he’s lost us. He’ll do anything he can to make sure we don’t live out our full potential for Christ. I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to win.
I’m sure we all struggle with feeling like imposters, but we don’t have to stay there. We can overcome it with the grace that saves us.
Take that, Satan.
Hey! Let me know in the comments 1) if you struggle with feeling like an imposter and 2) what helps you overcome it.
More reading…
- 4 Simply Powerful Reminders for Insecurity from HISsparrowBlog
- 3 Simple Truths for When You Feel Like a Failure from HISsparrowBlog
- Blessed Assurance: 6 Reasons I Believe in Eternal Security from HISsparrowBlog
I frequently link up with the following: Grace & Truth with Embracing the Unexpected, Tell His Story with Jeanne Takenaka, and Let’s Have Coffee with Joanne Viola.
Great post!
I can so relate and still struggle daily. Thank you for sharing.
Most people, when I talk ’bout God
think I am on a drug,
and they clearly are not awed
for I look just like the thug
that, well, I kinda am,
or was in some past life
like when I, dancing, body-slammed
the gal who’s now my wife.
But she just got up and smiled,
and spoke to me with grace
as she was aiming all the while
to head-butt my face,
and as my nose turned black and blue,
said, “Love, through me, God spoke to YOU.”
Oh, this is so good! I am one of those “imposter syndrome” people…afraid I cannot share the Gospel with another without messing up. Thank you, thank you so much for the Word is sharper and never returns void. I am going to take these Scriptures and ponder them, gaining reassurance and confidence through the Lord. So grateful you are a neighbor at a linkup today.
I’m so glad you were encouraged! Thank you for stopping in!
Hey Ashley,
This is so good! Yes, I’ve definitely struggled with this. I give my words to Jesus and trust that He will use it as He sees fit, even if it was just for me. Before I write, I ask Jesus what He wants me to say. So I overcome imposter syndrome by writing with Him and for Him. And He’s no imposter
Ashley this is so good, love your tips, they do help re-focus what is going on, and checking our own motives. I do struggle with imposter syndrome now and again. Usually there is a people pleasing element around, but mostly it stems from a problem with “shame” due to always being told I wasn’t good enough when younger. To combat that, I look to Christ for my true identity, and remember what He called me to do, I can do through His strength-it’s not about me!