“What have I gotten myself into?”
I’ve thought that exact phrase way too many times the past three months as I feel my way through the dimly-lit hall of transition. A career change at 50 isn’t for the faint of heart; I’m not even sure it’s for the strong and able, yet here I am - scanning a security access badge to enter a corporate building, wearing business attire and making significant decisions for a company I hadn’t even known existed four months ago.
“What have I done?”
Have you ever walked into a room and felt like you didn’t belong? Maybe you were invited to the table, but you sat there wondering when everyone else would realize you’re in over your head. It’s the haunting whisper of a timid soul, “You’re not good enough,” “You don’t deserve this,” or “Sooner or later, they’ll find out you’re a fraud.”
Imposter syndrome is like showing up to a party in a tuxedo only to realize it’s a pajama-themed event. You feel out of place. Clearly, everyone can see that you don’t belong. But truthfully, more often than not, everyone else is worried about their own outfit too. The human condition of ego runs deep and wide.
We all face it at some point. Moses sure did. When God called him from a burning bush in Exodus 3, Moses’ immediate response was, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh?”
In essence, this Old Testament hero says, “God, I think you’ve got the wrong guy.”
But God didn’t accept Moses’ self-doubt as the final word, and neither should we.
1. HOLD SPACE FOR FAITH
Society tells us we need a long resume before we can step into something significant. God, on the other hand, calls us first and qualifies us along the way. Embrace the tension of being great-but-not-yet. If God sees something in me and chooses to place me in a room among kings, I can trust in His omniscience even when I am blinded by my limitations.
Take Gideon. He was literally hiding in a winepress, trying to keep a low profile, convinced he was the weakest of the weak (Judges 6:15). But when God showed up, He didn’t call Gideon what he felt like—He called him what he was becoming: “Mighty warrior.”
God sees the finished version of you, even when you’re still stuck in the draft stage, so hold space for faith.
2. EMBRACE WEAKNESS
Paul, the guy who wrote a big chunk of the New Testament, admitted to feeling weak and inadequate. But instead of letting that paralyze him, he leaned into God’s grace: “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness’” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Toxic shame tells us we aren’t good enough and pushes us into fearful isolation. Healthy shame tells us that we aren’t good enough on our own and invites us to find wholeness in community. Let your weakness point to the goodness of God. Let your lack draw you to commune with the One who chose you for this moment because He knew that your weakness, partnered with His strength, was exactly what was needed.
Imagine your life as a cracked jar. You might think those cracks make you useless, but in reality, they’re where God’s light shines through the most.
3. REPLACE LIES WITH TRUTH
That inner critic? It’s a liar. And the only way to combat lies is with truth.
The enemy says: “You’re not enough.”
God says: “You are fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).
The enemy says: “You’ll never be able to do this.”
God says: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
The enemy says: “You don’t belong here.”
God says: “You are chosen” (1 Peter 2:9).
Your feelings may be loud, but they aren’t always true. Anchor yourself in what God has said about you, not what fear and insecurity tries to convince you of.
4. SHIFT YOUR FOCUS FROM SELF TO SERVICE
Imposter syndrome loves when we’re focused on ourselves—our flaws, our insecurities, our shortcomings. The fastest way to silence it? Stop making it about you.
Jesus didn’t say, “Make sure you feel qualified before you serve others.” He just said, “Love your neighbor” (Mark 12:31). He said, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). He said, “Go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19). None of these commands come with a prerequisite of self-confidence. They come with a call to obedience.
Imposter syndrome, anxiety, depression, and a host of other ailments often find their end or ease in serving others. Feeling inadequate? Get out of your own head and put that energy to good use. Find a need and meet it.
5. DO IT AFRAID
Fear is a terrible decision-maker but a fantastic opportunity for faith. If you’re waiting for the day you feel ready, qualified, or fearless—you’ll be waiting forever. Gideon didn’t feel like a mighty warrior. Moses didn’t feel like an orator, and Paul didn’t feel strong.
Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s obedience in the face of it. Walk into that meeting. Say yes to that opportunity. Write the book, start the business, lead the Bible study. And if your hands shake while you do it? Do it afraid. Because fear has no authority where faith takes action.
So, the next time you feel unworthy, underqualified, or out of place, remember this: You are not an imposter. You are not a fraud. You are not alone.
You are exactly who, where and how God wants you.
Stand tall at that pajama-themed party where all eyes are on you. Straighten that bow tie, smile, wink, and say, “I woke up this way.”
I'm so glad I took the time to read this! it's soo good!
This is so good!!