You are Enough: Unpacking Impostor Syndrome and the Anxiety Behind It

The familiar culprit of fear has etched its fingerprints onto many known mental health diagnoses. While impostor syndrome is not named as a formal disorder, it is associated with some of the usual suspects that give rise to its name. It is marked by feelings of self-doubt about one’s abilities or worthiness and is connected with anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

It often surfaces when there is an opportunity to elevate or transition into a new role or setting. While it is sometimes discussed regarding those navigating professional settings, it can be detected in any environment or person who doubts his or her qualifications for an opportunity, whether professional or personal.

The impostor’s influence

Understanding impostor syndrome can help us understand its significance and influence. Our enemy is the original impostor. He grasped at ascending above God in a fruitless attempt to overthrow the King of Kings (Isaiah 14:13-15).

He abdicated the place where God had once anointed and established him for worship. His choice to rebel against God resulted in an irreversible decision that sealed his destiny. An eternal choice yielded an eternal consequence.

The enemy seeks to destroy the potential and purpose that the Father has planted in His children (John 10:10). We follow a similar deception when we partner with the fear that lurks behind the impostor. Instead of living out our truest identity with God, we settle for limitation, while we enjoy the freedom of fulfilling our call to live in harmony with God.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8, ESV

Behavior beware

Anxiety and depression reveal themselves in the behaviors most often seen with impostor syndrome. This mindset suggests that we are unworthy to walk in what God Himself has called and assigned to us as part of His unique plan. Such limiting beliefs manifest in self-deprecating talk, where we minimize our God-given gifts, skills, and achievements, often comparing ourselves to others. Impostor syndrome causes us to sabotage our own destiny.

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. – Romans 14:17, ESV

Underlying roots of imposter syndrome

The reach of impostor syndrome is rooted in the tentacles of fear and pride. Anxiety chokes our next move when we worry and stress about our ability to live up to the challenges of new roles and responsibilities. While we may not readily associate pride with impostor syndrome, its evidence is detected in overemphasizing self and our perceived inabilities, thereby removing glory from God.

While we often connect pride with arrogance, it also reveals itself in timidity or false modesty. Such lowliness eclipses God’s glory from shining because we hide what God has gifted. The impostor has influenced us to focus on our own perceptions instead of agreeing with the Word and trusting the Spirit of God to lead us.

Impacts of impostor syndrome

Impostor syndrome can yield a host of negative impacts that result in diminished esteem and confidence. This can limit our opportunities to extend God’s goodness in our communities, society, and the world. The impostor hampers our ability to engage with others when we shrink back, instead of releasing the grace-filled influence that God has given us.

Belief is not just believing in God. Not believing in who God has said that we are is also a belief and one that guides us negatively. When we place our faith in the negative, it holds us hostage, captive to a falsehood that persuades us to live, pray, think, and act small, instead of stretching for the greater.

Bible backing

Allowing for our weakness highlights the strength of God (2 Corinthians 12:9). We can do nothing apart from His Spirit. God opens doors of opportunity, intending for us to rely on Him (Zechariah 4:6; Philippians 4:13). Walking with Him and in His strength unlocks us to be all He has created.

Whether we “feel” prepared, qualified, or worthy, it is God who works from the inside out to do what seems impossible (Philippians 2:13). When we do not allow God to be God through us, we hinder not only our personal fulfillment and growth in relationship with Him, but we also restrict the good He wants to release to the entire earth.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. – Philippians 2:13, NIV

Scripture provides examples revealing that we are not the first ones to wrestle with the impostor. Gideon would encourage us that our few resources and people are enough (Judges 7:7). Moses would testify that what is already in our hands is enough to take us to where the Lord wants us to influence (Exodus 4:2). Finally, Elisha would console us with the same affirmation he offered to his servant: that the warring angels on their side outnumbered their enemy (2 Kings 6:16).

These examples convey that no matter the new reality that God invites us into, we already have more than enough to defeat the voice and influence of the impostor. Why? Because I Am is with us (Exodus 3:14), we can go confidently.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? – Romans 8:31, ESV

While we have a real enemy, we also have a true champion in Christ (Colossians 2:15). He crushed every demonic entity, including the impostor and its allies. Jesus alone finished the work in His death and resurrection. Authority in Christ equips us to enforce that victory over anxiety and the impostor. Our willingness to partner with the Holy Spirit in new experiences actually advances heaven’s aims in us and on the earth.

Put impostor syndrome to work

As beloved children, we must engage with the Father who created us in His image. We can seek His heart for our identity and His gifts of opportunity by spending time listening to the Holy Spirit. Although the impostor masquerades as anxiety that steals our peace and stress that robs our joy, there are some spiritual truths and practical principles we can embrace.

Spiritually, armoring with God’s Word forges our faith. Practically speaking, locating verses related to our challenges validates our worth and affirms our identity. Furthermore, we can apply Truth by agreeing with God about what He already sees and knows about us. Our biblical witnesses reveal that He has thoroughly resourced us for what seems insurmountable.

Gideon discovered that God considered him a mighty man of valor (Judges 6:12). Moses learned that God would speak boldly and clearly through him, despite his speech impediment. Elisha’s servant realized that heaven’s army fought with them in the spirit and in the natural realms. Their examples are the blueprint intended for our benefit.

Next steps to cope with impostor syndrome

Never underestimate God. His empowering spirit lives in us, and He dispatches the holy angels to work on our behalf. He is glorified when we embrace our unique identity and gifts to follow Him through the open door of opportunity.

If you are wrestling with the anxiety that causes impostor syndrome, you do not have to fight this battle alone. A Christian counselor can lend support and help you strategize. Reach out to us today and we can connect you with any of the counselors in our directory. They will journey with you toward confidence and freedom in Christ. Be encouraged. You are enough.