Do You Struggle with Christian Imposter Syndrome?

How many of the following statements are true of you?

  • I believe I have a calling from God.
  • Many times in the past, God worked through my specific abilities to accomplish His purposes.
  • God continues to give me assignments that I can accomplish only through His power.
  • Other Christians regard me as a highly skilled and mature follower of Christ.

However, which of the following statements are also true of you?

  • I live with a constant, underlying anxiety that I’m not good enough, talented enough, experienced enough, influential enough, young/old enough, etc., to fulfill the calling God has given me.
  • Therefore, I’m a perfectionist and overachiever, constantly driving to do more and do better.
  • I feel like an imposter because people think I’m highly gifted, confident, and living joyfully in in Christian life and calling—when in fact, I know my own shortcomings, and I fear mishearing or disappointing God.
  • I feel alone and guilty about my anxiety, because I feel like I should be able to trust God more than I do.

If both sets of bulleted statements above describe you, then you probably struggle with Christian Imposter Syndrome.

What Is Christian Imposter Syndrome?

My First Experiences with Christian Imposter Syndrome

Christian Imposter Syndrome is persistent private anxiety and doubt that you really can fulfill your Christian calling, especially when God calls you to a bigger, more challenging role.

Before I had a name for this phenomenon, I observed it in my Christian coaching clients and in myself.

Eventually, in my reading, I ran across the psychological term “imposter syndrome,” which sounded similar to but not exactly the same as what I’ve observed in Christians.

Therefore, in this blog, I will refer to two kinds of Imposter Syndrome:

  1. General Imposter Syndrome has been observed in the general human population. It has been researched quite extensively in the psychological literature, without reference or application to Christian life.
  2. Christian Imposter Syndrome has been discussed much less, and I could find no formal research about it. Therefore, this blog about Christian Imposter Syndrome is based on my own informal observations of dozens of my coaching clients, as well as on my own life.

General Imposter Syndrome

Here’s a definition of General Imposter Syndrome from the American Psychological Association:

  • “First described by psychologists Suzanne Imes, PhD, and Pauline Rose Clance, PhD, in the 1970s, impostor phenomenon occurs among high achievers who are unable to internalize and accept their success. They often attribute their accomplishments to luck rather than to ability, and fear that others will eventually unmask them as a fraud.”

Psychology Today says this about General Imposter Syndrome:

  • “People who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements and the high esteem in which they are, in fact, generally held. They feel that they aren’t as competent or intelligent as others might think—and that soon enough, people will discover the truth about them. Those with imposter syndrome are often well accomplished; they may hold high office or have numerous academic degrees.”

A Comparison of General Imposter Syndrome and Christian Imposter Syndrome

General Imposter Syndrome and Christian Imposter Syndrome are similar in these ways:
  • Fearing, worrying, feeling anxious, and doubting that I can really do as well as needed
  • Feeling like I'm not really as good, competent, influential, and confident as I appear—therefore, feeling like somewhat of an imposter
  • Minimizing my past success as a fluke or a temporary thing
  • Feeling alone, embarrassed, or guilty because I’m so successful and yet so anxious
  • Being perfectionistic and overachieving, because I’m trying to prevent failure that I feel might be just around the corner
General Imposter Syndrome and Christian Imposter Syndrome differ in these ways:
General Imposter Syndrome:

  • Observed primarily in high achievers
  • Attribute my success to luck
  • Fear that I’ll be unmasked as a fraud
Christian Imposter Syndrome:

  • Observed in people who have a strong sense of Christian calling
  • Attribute my success to God, but fearful of losing that success
  • Fear that I'll miss or fail to fulfill my Christian calling, or that I'll disappoint God and others

Who Struggles with Christian Imposter Syndrome?

I believe that the demographics of people who struggle with Christian Imposter Syndrome are the same as for General Imposter Syndrome:

  • 70% of people struggle with Imposter Syndrome at least once in a lifetime. (Reference)
  • Imposter Syndrome affects people from all social statuses, work backgrounds, skill levels, and degrees of expertise. Reference)
  • Women may experience Imposter Syndrome more commonly than men, but may show greater resilience than men. (Reference)
  • Men may suffer more anxiety—and may perform worse—with Imposter Syndrome than women. (Reference)
  • Men tend to feel more isolated than women because they tend not to talk about what they’re feeling. (Reference)
  • Minorities and women of color experience Imposter Syndrome more frequently. (Reference)

Some famous people who struggled with Imposter Syndrome are: Albert Einstein, John Steinbeck, Meryl Streep, Sheryl Sandberg, Ton Hanks, Serena Williams. (Reference)

What Triggers Christian Imposter Syndrome?

The three circumstances below strongly trigger Christian Imposter Syndrome:
(This list is based on my experiences with my coaching clients, and upon my own experience.)

1. Entering a Christian Calling Valley.

A Christian Calling Valley is one of three multi-year seasons of life when God intentionally curtails productivity in our Christian calling, to grow our character and deepen our relationship with Him. These Christian Calling Valleys typically occur in young, middle, and mid-to-late adulthood. They commonly last 2-6 years each.

Tony Stoltzfus discovered these Christian Calling Valleys through biblical study and modern research. To find out more about Christian Calling Valleys, and to discover which one you might be in, check out this blog: Get God’s Big Picture for Your Christian Calling.

Below is an example of Christian Imposter Syndrome in each of the three Christian Calling Valleys:
  • Valley of Dependence: A young Christian man in his twenties sees obvious signs that God is calling him to prepare for a certain career. He enrolls in college and starts serving in his new church. But so many other students are more intelligent and talented than he is. Did he hear God correctly? Is he really good enough to do this calling?
  • Valley of Wholeness: A woman in her late thirties achieved good success in her career and church life. However, those roles now seem dull and rather meaningless. Shouldn’t Christian life and calling be more than this? People think she’s got it all together, but she feels like a fake.
  • Valley of Identity: A woman in her early sixties has done very well in her career and Christian service. But with retirement looming, she wonders if the best years of Christian calling are behind her. She’s wondering if she missed something important along the way. See this blog about Christian Calling at age 50+: Fulfill Your Calling at Age 50+.

2. Starting a new Christian calling role, especially one that is significantly bigger or different than any previous ones.

Examples of Christian Imposter Syndrome When Starting a New and Different Calling Role:
  • After serving mostly behind the scenes in her church, a young woman starts leading the women’s ministry there.
  • A middle-aged woman works 15 years in a scientific field, then she leaves that career to become one of several pastors at a large church. (This was my story!)
  • A gifted volunteer leader at a rescue mission is hired to be the head of the organization.

3. Enduring any of the following circumstances for long periods of time:

Examples:
  • Growing up with parents that highly valued achievement and constantly pushed for perfection.
  • Not feeling loved, valued, or encouraged by parents in childhood.
  • Living continually in a competitive environment, i.e., college, graduate school, job promotion.
  • Being the “first of a group” to hold a particular position, i.e. the first woman, minority, physically challenged person, etc.

When Multiple Triggers Occur at the Same Time

When Christians experience two or even all three of the above triggers, Christian Imposter Syndrome maxes out!

Below is a case of multiple triggers causing full-blown Christian Imposter Syndrome:
  • A middle-aged woman never felt she measured up to her parents’ expectations, so she’s driven to succeed. (Circumstance 3 above)
  • This same woman works in a competitive career where she is the only female in the office, so she feels compelled to be perfect. (Circumstance 3 above)
  • This same woman is in the Valley of Wholeness with respect to her Christian calling. Friends and coworkers think she’s happy and extremely competent, but she feels anxious and stuck. (Circumstance 1 above)
  • Furthermore, this same woman has just been promoted to a bigger new role at work. She once felt called to this career to make a difference for God, but now she wonders if she can—or even desires—to do it anymore. (Circumstance 2 above)

How Christian Impostor Syndrome Hinders Christian Life and Calling

Below are just a few of the many far-reaching negative results of Christian Imposter Syndrome:

  • Loss of confidence in my ability to fulfill my Christian calling
  • Intense worry and grief that I’ve somehow missed my Christian calling
  • Agonizing over and second-guessing every decision
  • Loss of joy in the Lord
  • Jealousy of others
  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Sleeplessness
  • Anger
  • Exhaustion
  • Medical issues such as heart or stomach problems
  • Relationship stresses

7 Steps for Overcoming Christian Imposter Syndrome

Christian Imposter Syndrome is ultimately overcome through believing and acting upon God's truth in intimate relationship with Him. Below are 7 steps toward that goal.

1. Talk honestly with God about how you feel.

The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. (Psalm 154:18)

[Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-29)

  • Ask God to work through Christian Imposter Syndrome to take your relationship with Him to the next level.
  • Tell God how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking, and ask Him to comfort and encourage you.
  • Check out this blog for how to grow in conversational prayer: Conversation with God.

2. Review God’s truth about who you are.

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. (Psalm 139:13-16)

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

  • Ask God to show you some of the many ways He loves you as the uniquely precious child He has created you to be.
  • Ask God to convince you of the truth that He will always love and value you, no matter what.

3. Review God’s truth about your Christian calling.

Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. (1 Corinthians 7:17)

  • Ask God to renew your confidence in His calling in your life.
  • If you are in a Christian Calling Valleys (see above), ask God what good purposes He wants to accomplish in that Valley.
  • If you are feeling challenged by a new Christian calling role (see above), ask God to convince you how He has prepared you for this role and that He will indeed fulfill the calling through you.
  • If God is in the process of moving you up to a bigger role than ever before, ask Him for the courage, wisdom, and abilities to fulfill that calling in joy.

4. Ask God to change your thinking.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

  • Ask God to change self-defeating beliefs about yourself and your calling—and about Him—i.e. that you’ll never be good enough or influential enough, or that He doesn’t love or value you as much as someone else.
  • Ask God to help you know deep in your soul that you are infinitely valued by Him, you need not feel inferior, and He will fulfill His calling in your life.

5. Ask God to change your behavior.

Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)

  • Ask God to help you live in His truth about your life and calling.
  • Ask Him to help you sleep well at night because you trust Him.
  • Ask Him to help you rejoice in how He made you instead of being jealous of others.
  • Ask Him to show you how to address any health issues caused by the stresses of Christian Imposter Syndrome.

6. Share your struggles and victories with a mature Christ follower.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17)

  • Ask God who might help you break through Christian Imposter Syndrome into victory in Jesus.

7. Trust God to transform you.

We have stopped evaluating others from a human point of view. At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view. How differently we know him now! This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)

  • Ask God how He wants to make a new person out of you through your struggles with Christian Imposter Syndrome. God always has good purposes in mind!

Additional Resources

Christian resources about Imposter Syndrome:

Other resources about Imposter Syndrome:

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February 3, 2021
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  • Hi RJ! I am studying up to speak about Christian imposter syndrome to a local group of women and I found your article. I appreciate how you’ve mapped this out in detail. You put words to a lot of my thoughts and feelings on this subject. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
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