Expectations can have a funny way of showing up in our lives, especially when you want to present yourself to others in the best light possible. This anxious feeling happens when you want to meet the expectations of others, but you feel like you’re not enough. Thankfully God has a different view of us, and Imposter Syndrome Isn’t Your Calling.

God calls us to be the light of the world. But sometimes we don’t know how to be a light to others.

14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

Before David was king, he was a shepherd boy who courageously defeated Goliath. When God calls us, we may not feel like enough, but we are given the strength and power through His spirit to defeat our own gaints.

‍We have a choice to partner with fear, or to partner with God.

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

God’s expectation of us is different from culture. You often feel imposter syndrome when you’re trying to perform for social expectations, verses declaring what God has already given in your spirit.

Before Jesus performed any miracles, God was already proud of His Son. He didn’t have to prove anything, for he knew that he belonged to God.

And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17 NIV

It won’t always be easy, especially when people who have known you for a long time have a hard time reconciling who you were to who you are becoming. Jesus faced this problem when he returned to Nazareth.

They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?” John 6:42 NIV

We can overcome imposter syndrome by focusing on our calling. At times you’ll feel like an imposter either by feeling like you’re not enough or by other people saying you’re not. No matter the circumstance, when God calls you, he gives you the strength, and power to be enough.

‍God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.

When faced with our Goliath, we must listen to God’s wisdom and walk out in faith, for God only gives us one step at a time. Imposter syndrome is just a feeling and feelings are fleeting.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV

As we learn to master our emotions, we can use it as fuel to drive towards our calling. Imposter syndrome will be defeated as we fill the gap of what’s expected to our current reality.

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‍Call to Action

Write out what you feel God is calling you to do in this season. Pray and listen for God’s wisdom. Take it one step at a time. Memorize the scripture from 2 Timothy 1:7. Whenever you feel like you’re not enough, God gives you power and love.