Impostor Syndrome

If at one time or another you asked the question, “Do I deserve to be in this higher position?” with a feeling of guilt that you have inadequate skills, you have experienced the “impostor syndrome”.  According to Suzanne Mercier of impostorhood.com, “impostors don’t recognise their own talents and as a result feel like frauds. You think you don’t deserve the success you’ve achieved and have just got where you are out of good luck.”

Keith McGregor, an industrial psychologist, says that impostor syndrome causes a person to be defensive when criticised, to hold one’s self back from new challenges and encourages an individual to procrastinate and avoid responsibility. Triathlete Harmish Carter, pressured by expectations that he’d win gold in the Sydney Olympics lost big time; but collected gold when he simply relaxed and enjoyed himself as he competed in the Athens Olympics.

Simon Peter, in many passages, felt of his inadequacies to fulfil his role as a disciple of Jesus Christ, to be extent of denying Christ three times. A fisherman, Peter was tasked by Jesus to build His Church: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)

Humbly accepting his human frailty, Peter became the worthy leader of the early Christian church because of his love and faith in Christ:  “He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17)

Thus, when he pursued his ministry that led towards his martyrdom, Peter no longer felt like an impostor, unafraid to declare: “Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 1:1)

God never places us in a position that we are incapable of delivering what is expected of us. If we only draw from our own strength, there are times we do succeed; but failure would often come to hound us. By seeking God’s guidance and praying for his protection at all times plus doing our level best, there is no chance that victory or success is unattainable even in a higher position. “Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:6)

by Mel Libre