Do you suffer with “Impostor Syndrome”?  Many do.  Do a search on the internet.  Much has been written about the subject.

One writer gives this definition for “Impostor Syndrome”: “It’s the persistent fear of being secretly incompetent or inadequate for your job. A lot of us fear being ‘found out’ — having people discover that we aren’t as capable or talented as they think we are.” *

The great leader of Israel, Moses, suffered with “impostor syndrome.”  See Exodus 3-4 for the excuses Moses offered when God called him to lead the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage.  Observe also how God answers his objections and leads him to fulfill the call.

Jeremiah the prophet also suffered with this syndrome.  In Jeremiah 1, we read how God called Jeremiah to be a prophet to the nations (1:5).  Jeremiah responded, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth” (1:6).  That sounds like the “impostor syndrome,” doesn’t it?

Here is what God said to Jeremiah: “Do not say, 'I am a youth,' For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.  Do not be afraid of their faces, For I am with you to deliver you," says the LORD” (1:7-8).

Notice how God did not respond.  He didn’t say, “No, Jeremiah!  You’re not young, and you do know how to speak!  You’re capable and talented; you can do this!”

Instead, God told him not to focus on his inadequacies but to be obedient to Him (v. 7).  He also told him not to be afraid, because “I am with you to deliver you” (v. 8).

Think about this: “God doesn’t respond to our fears of inadequacy with reassurances of our strength but with a reminder of His.” *

On this Independence Day weekend, may we recognize our dependence upon God.

We depend upon God for our very existence.  “He gives to all life, breath, and all things… for in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:25, 28).

We depend upon God for our salvation.  When we were “powerless” to save ourselves, God sent His Son Jesus to rescue us.  “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6).  Christ “gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4).

Yes, we must accept God’s offer of salvation on His terms, but make no mistake: God is the author of our salvation (2 Corinthians 5:17-21).

God will save and give eternal life to those who place their faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Jesus before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38).  Then, as we walk in the light of His Word, God continues to cleanse us from sin through the blood of Jesus (1 John 1:7-9).

We depend upon God for strength.  The Apostle Paul said, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).  Paul was not saying that he could do anything, but he could do anything that God wanted him to do.  You and I can find that same strength in Christ.

On this Independence Day weekend, let us declare our dependence on God!  Let’s demonstrate our dependence by relying on Him and doing what He says.

Won’t YOU?

- David A. Sargent

* Information gleaned from “Impostor Syndrome” in www.illustrationideas.bible.

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David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 
1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

Archived issues of Living Water can be viewed and accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org