It seems like anytime I am with writers, the subject of imposter syndrome comes up. Being I dealt with this myself over the years, I began to realize that it was something that should be addressed. The enemy would like nothing more than to stop us from believing that God has called us to write for Him. Often that call comes with bouts of insecurity and self-doubts…I know both well. But if God has called us we must learn to stand against the lies of the enemy that accuse us of being a fraud or unqualified to write.
It was the Fall of 2000 when a San Francisco Area Newspaper released an impressive article about how I, a local mom, had signed a three-book deal with a Colorado publisher—the books would help women find self-worth in God’s truth. There were pictures and glowing endorsements by Liz Curtis Higgs, Max Lucado and Francine Rivers. My initial excitement was interrupted with thoughts like, “ I don’t deserve this, I’m not really an author, what if someone finds out that I struggle with self-worth?, what if the publisher drops me? What if they discover I’ve only previously written in my own journal?”
The article was titled, The Accidental Author, and that is exactly what I believed about myself—this whole thing was an accident and though I wanted to encourage others, maybe I was really nothing more than a fraud. I didn’t speak those thoughts out loud but let them spin around in my head for a very long time.
Maybe you can relate?
According to an article in Psychology Today, Imposter Syndrome is when one struggles with persistent feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt despite evident of achievements. The internalized sense of fraudulence often leads to anxiety, fear of failure and a cycle of overworking to prove oneself. Though Christians and non-Christians alike can struggle with these feelings, there are three truths the Christian must recognize and stand in to counter the lies of fraudulence.
1. God calls people to do things they are not equipped for.All through the Bible we see that God equips those that He calls. The task might be too big for us—but if God has called us, it is He who will equip us
“God is able to make all grace abound towards you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
2. God makes all grace abound towards you. God will give you the gifting and anointing you need for the task. The enemy is a liar and uses self-doubt to discourage.
The lie, familiar to many, is that we are not “good enough.” This lie is used by the enemy to stop Christians from doing the very things God is calling them to. The Apostle Paul addresses the subject of competency:
“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…” 2 Corinthians 3:4-5
Take note that the word competence here in the original Greek is a word that can mean— sufficient, worthy or enough. Paul was literally teaching that we are not enough in ourselves but God makes us enough. The next time the enemy taunts you with the “not enough” lie in any area—just stand firm, “yes, I am not enough in and of myself, but God has made me enough in Him.”
Remember you have a God who wants to invite you into a full life, but there is a thief who is a liar and accuser, who wants to rob, steal and destroy God’s best in you and through you. He will lie to you and try to stop you through inadequacy. Stop the lies and follow firm in God’s strength not your own.
3. Following our calling, is an act of obedience, not self promotion.
God often stretches us beyond what we feel capable of and perhaps what we are credentialed for. Some best selling authors did terrible in school—and even in English class. Readers are breaking free from things holding them back after reading words penned from a fellow-struggler not a perfect specimen of how to do something. More than our qualifications, the Christian can be assured that when they push past fear to obey God—He will always bless the obedience and supply all that is needed.
“How blessed are those who hear and obey God’s word.” Luke 11:28
“Noah did everything just as God commanded him.” Genesis 6:22
Your obedience will lead to the overflow of God’s anointing in your life. Your “yes” might be the very thing that helps someone find hope again. When you obey God into what He is calling you into, He is honored and it becomes more about the calling then your abilities.
In the end the important thing is that we trust God . This trust doesn’t mean that we don’t work hard or do our best, on the contrary, we do the very best we can, giving God the first fruit of our labor. And, knowing this—we also learn to stand firm against the lie that we are not enough. We know that in and of ourselves we are not sufficient, but connected to Jesus we will always have all we need for what he has called us to.
I worked on silencing the fears that one day someone would realize I was an imposter. What would be the worst thing that could happen? Probably finding out that I am just an ordinary woman and sinner who is overcome with gratitude for the grace of God in my life. Maybe they would find out that I want to encourage others that God loves them extravagantly too. If that is being a fraud….so be it.
The truth is, you are not an imposter, and neither am I. Since that article in 2000, I have been published many times. Once an editor told me to quit saying I wasn’t really a writer or an author. She said, because you are both. Imposter syndrome was alive and well in me. But not anymore.
Truth is, we are imperfect people, called by a perfect God to do a work that involves penning words of hope. Resist the lie of the enemy that will try to stop you from following the call.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist, him standing firm in the faith.” 1 Peter 5:8
I’m praying you set your face against the lies, keep your fingers on the keyboard and your heart soft towards God. In the end, His will is the best we can hope for. And… there is nothing about Jesus that lines up with Imposter. We are in Him and He works in and through us to be the voice of hope and encouragement in this world..
Debbie- What an encouraging post. It is a wonderful reminder of where our writing gift comes from and why we work to improve it every day. Thank you for getting my week off to a terrific, positive start. God bless you!
Thank you for the article. It was needed encouragement today! And you talked about overflow. That is the title of my next book. Overflow. 🙂
Yes, Debbie, “God calls people to do things they are not equipped for.” In my case, God equipped me for a calling I didn’t yet know I had, I spent years typing meeting minutes and business letters aimed at busy physicians. I learned to get to the point and not waste their time with weaselly words or run-on sentences. Years later, God called me to write his message, short and simple, so folks who struggle to read feel welcome at the Bible study table.
My words will be no help to you,
and now I know the reason why.
In all the training I’ve been through,
I have been trained to die,
an asset that can be expended
in a greater cause,
and it could never be pretended
that that’s not how it was,
and I can write no comfort here
for those ‘neath cancer’s blade,
for though I too hold this life dear,
the choices that I made
preclude my asking sympathy,
or the aping of an empathy.
I struggle with Imposter Syndrome on a regular basis. Thank you for the great encouragement.