Don't mean to impose, but...

War Cry's Emily Bright considers how we can overcome imposter syndrome.

‘I know I could do a higher role,’ muses Julie when thinking about her job. ‘Sometimes, I think I could do it with my eyes closed. But what if I can’t, and then I’m found out to be a fake?’

Julie is the fictitious brainchild of Dr Bianca Denny, a clinical psychologist based in Melbourne. But Julie is also the amalgamation of what Bianca has heard people express time and again in her therapy sessions: a sense of imposter syndrome.

In an article for The Guardian’s Modern Mind column, Bianca wrote that imposter syndrome, or a sense of unworthiness, can lead to a fearful avoidance of career advancement opportunities.

She explained that the ‘phenomenon is defined by consistent doubt of one’s own accomplishments, feeling undeserving of success or achievement, and fear of being exposed as a fraud, despite evidence to the contrary’.

Bianca believes that the key to shifting away from imposter syndrome is not to ‘suppress psychological discomfort’ but rather to investigate specific areas such as ‘self-esteem, identity and anxiety’.

The article resonates with me – whether that’s in the sphere of faith, work or friendships – because I’ve had to wrestle with the fear of failing and of not being good enough. 

I’ve been known to catastrophise about every conceivable outcome. It’s exhausting. But what has helped me tackle those anxieties is my relationship with Jesus.

In the Bible, one writer who struggled with ‘a thorn in his flesh’ – a problem that he doesn’t define – senses Jesus say to him: ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’ (2 Corinthians 12:9 New International Version).

The verse reminds me that it’s OK to fail and to have flaws, because Jesus uses his power to redeem my mistakes and to help me learn and grow. My weaknesses are actually a strength, because they force me to rely on him completely and deepen my relationship with him.

And, regardless of my shortcomings, I’m not an imposter. I’m someone who is unconditionally loved and accepted by Jesus. That’s an identity we can all enjoy, if we invite him into our lives.