Digital Evangelism Issues

Do you suffer from Imposter Syndrome? What’s that?

It’s the feeling that one day you are going to be ‘found out’. For example, you may plan to lead a meeting, seminar, or preach, and you have this awful feeling that they will think, “Who is this person? Doesn’t know much about his subject. Probably a barely functional Christian.”

It’s that perception of being a fraud, expressed by Margaret Attwood: “Another belief of mine; that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise.”

It’s the notion that makes us wonder what we want to be when we grow up; or of not quite belonging in this bewildering world.

Take the secular Imposter Quiz and read their blog.

Many people, when told about Imposter Syndrome, will say, “You mean, there are other people who feel the same way I do?”

Of course, some personality types are untroubled by any problems of humility or self doubt. But many, even at the top of their game, have real struggles. Kylie Minogue (who is held in almost universal approbation – you’ll never hear a bad word spoken of her) said recently: “I’m sometimes racked with insecurity and sure that I’m going to be exposed as a fraud at any time.” (UK Times Magazine June 19, 2010)

If this is you, be encouraged. You can battle it. You are a child. God’s child. It’s perhaps the primary relationship model He gives us. He knows and understands every doubt and insecurity. He can use us despite, or indeed even because of, our worries, fears and feelings. We can learn, step by step, to see ourselves from His perspective.

And we are not meant to feel too much at home in Shadowlands anyway. Malcolm Muggeridge wrote, “The only ultimate disaster that can befall us, I have come to realize, is to feel ourselves at home here on earth.” If you want to find out more about this Christian good news, check The Life.

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