How The Gospel Helps Us Overcome Imposter Syndrome

There was a guy in one of my finance classes back in college - he wasn’t the brightest, but it didn’t stop him from thinking and acting like he was going to become a big shot finance guy after graduation. He spoke up easily in class, even if he was often wrong. Over the course of my education and career, I have met many people like that - usually men. People who acted like they belonged; like they had what it takes to succeed.

For most of my life, I felt the opposite of that. I felt my “different” acutely. It was like a second skin: a Christian in a secular school, an immigrant, poor, a first-generation college student, a first-generation attorney, a woman. 

Thanks to my liberal arts education, I quickly learned the word for that feeling: imposter syndrome. This psychological phenomenon reflects a belief that you’re an inadequate and incompetent failure, despite evidence that indicates you’re skilled and quite successful. 

In college, I often felt like I was always the dumbest person in the room; like a fraud and at any moment someone would figure out I didn’t belong and kick me out. I didn’t speak up in class because I didn’t want anyone to notice me - to notice I wasn’t like everyone else. I felt this even though I was enrolled in a private school, had a 3.9 GPA and received enough scholarships to more than cover my college education. By all evidence, someone believed I should be there, right?

In 2 Corinthians 11:5-6 (ESV), Paul writes:

Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to these super-apostles. Even if I am unskilled in speaking, I am not so in knowledge; indeed, in every way we have made this plain to you in all things.

Chapters 10 through 12 of this book are basically Apostle Paul trying to explain his authority as an apostle: why he is completely not worthy, but also how that makes him the most qualified minister of the Gospel. So, let’s break down how although Apostle Paul had grounds for experiencing imposter syndrome, he was able to overcome any weaknesses and feelings of inferiority through the Gospel.

Our weaknesses don’t disqualify us

In 2 Corinthians 11:30, 12:5, and 12:9-10, Paul writes about boasting in his infirmities and weaknesses. Paul wasn’t a fan of his weakness - none of us ever are - but it wasn’t until God opened up to him the reason for his weakness that Paul was able to come to terms with his infirmity (we do no know what it was, just that it existed). 

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” -2 Corinthians 12:9a

In response, Paul comes to this conclusion: “Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in prosecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Cor. 12:9b-10). 

Paul’s weaknesses kept him humble, reminding him of his need for constant contact with God. 

I can relate. My best work has been done when I felt my need and personal inadequacy the most, both in ministry and in my education/career. There have been so many times I’d sit at my desk at work at the brink of tears because I didn’t understand the work I’d been assigned or after hours of research, I still couldn’t find anything close to an answer to a client’s question anywhere in the tax code. 

So, I stop and pray before going back to work. And as I keep working, my panic always fades and peace comes. Eventually, a breakthrough comes in my work too. Things click, answers appear and understanding dawns. I don’t get smarter - it isn’t about me at all! In asking God to step into the obvious void of my weakness, my God becomes the provision for my lack. 

But for that to happen, I must admit my need. If I insist on doing it all on my own and in proving my abilities, I essentially push God to the wayside and say “I’ve got this.” And that never gets me far. But stepping aside and acknowledging my need for Him? That is when I am the strongest and my work is the best. 

Our weaknesses put God’s power on display

In Philippians 3:4-8, Paul lists our his credentials - experiences and characteristics for why the people of the world would have counted as positives about him becoming a religious teacher. But to him? 

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ…and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” -Philippians 3:7-11 (selectively)

Paul would rather not have any of his personal achievements or strengths be what he was known for because that would make it about him and not the One who died for him. Paul could have easily cast aside Christ and become a religious leader - after all, that’s the path he was on before he encountered God on the way to Damascus. 

But encountering God changed everything. In 2 Corinthians 12:11, Paul writes, “for in nothing was I behind the most eminent apostles, though I am nothing.” 

In the flesh and in the world, calling oneself “nothing” is considered low self-esteem that should be overcome through positive affirmations telling oneself how great you are, how beautiful you truly are and how you have worth. 

But to a believer, the feeling of “nothing” is holy ground when it is in the presence of the One who is everything. Because Paul doesn’t mean “I am nothing” as “I am dumb, worthless, etc…” He means it as: “Though I be nothing, yet the Spirit of God dwells in me.” 

When we compare ourselves to others, we may feel pride because we think we’re better. Or we may feel the symptoms of imposter syndrome because we don’t feel as qualified/smart/pretty/accomplished enough as our co-workers or friends. But when we measure ourselves against God’s standards, it becomes obvious that we have no basis for pride or inadequacy. God is enough. God is adequate. God is everything even as we are nothing before Him. 

Our authority and power do not come from ourselves, no matter how accomplished we may seem to this world. We claim the power and authority of God, and that is best put on display when people see that in ourselves, we cannot, so there must be Some greater explanation for what is happening in our lives.

Don’t take yourself out of the running

Be aware of your shortcomings but don’t let that stop you from doing the work God has given you to do. It is true - you cannot truly do it. We are inadequate; not smart enough; not good enough of speakers; not educated enough; just overall not enough. But God is all that and more and that’s the entire point. Let’s make Him known in the things we cannot do. 

Just don’t take yourself out of the running just because you think you can’t do something or you don’t feel worthy of an opportunity. Give God a chance to work on your behalf and to fill the void of your need. 

So, let’s go back to where we started and allow me to rephrase Paul’s words to make it your life and work mantra:

Indeed, I consider that I am not in the least inferior to [my co-workers / classmates / the women I follow on Instagram]. Even if I am [unskilled in speaking, not a size 0 with perfect hair, not as smart as her], I am not lacking [in knowledge, in accomplishment, in the work I am doing, in becoming the woman God created me to be]; indeed my life speaks for itself that it was not my knowledge or skill, but in faith through Christ [I’ve accomplished this / I am who I am or where I am].

For when I am weak, He is strong;  Therefore, I boast in my weaknesses and lean into my need, so they may know the power of Christ. Though I be nothing, yet the Spirit of God dwells in me. That is why I can and I do all things through Christ who strengthens me.