Impostorism

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.  He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. – 2 Corinthians 3:4-6

When someone compliments me, I have a tendency not to believe the hype. They’ll say: “Oh, you’re such a good husband” or “you take such good care of the people around you” or, my personal favorite: “You’re such a good writer”. It’s not that I don’t believe what a friend or colleague or loved one is saying, I just don’t believe that I am as amazing as I am being told. I believe there’s also some value in not getting too hyped on oneself.

So, I have a comeback line that speaks to this. When someone says, “You’re so nice and kind” or “you’re a good caregiver”, I respond with: “I have moments”.

I do believe that “I have moments” where I am selfless, forgiving, competent, and insightful. But I also believe that I have many moments where I’m selfish, vindictive, a fake, and clueless. So, I have moments where I am good and moments where I’m not so much.

Impostorism, perhaps better known as Imposter Syndrome, is a life struggle where people believe that they are underserving of their achievements and high esteem in which they are held. They can’t acknowledge their capabilities and their effort and attribute their accomplishments to external causes.

Paul writes in his second letter to the church in Corinth that when it comes to being a “minister of the new promise”, we might not want to believe our own hype and think too highly of ourselves.  We might believe that we have studied the scriptures, followed all the right rules, and can argue our theology flawlessly. But Paul asserts that our ministry to the world won’t be done solely, or even mainly, by our own doing. Give all credit to the Spirit.

So, maybe there’s something to the idea of a healthy acknowledgement that when it comes to being a minister and good steward. We should humbly recognize that any credit belongs not solely to ourselves, but to the Spirit who inspires, strengthens, and leads us. We can confess that we’re the vessel of the Spirit and come equipped with all good gifts, but we also should give glory to God for the work of Christ through us, given to us not by our own merits, but by God’s good grace.

A prayer from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer:

Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated untoyou; and then use us, we pray you, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.