-- by Stephanie Briscoe, LCMHCS NCC CEAP

Have you ever walked into a room, sat at the table, or stepped onto a platform and thought to yourself, “I don’t belong here”?

Maybe you got the job you prayed for, the opportunity you’ve been working toward, or the recognition you secretly hoped for. Instead of celebrating, you shrink inside, questioning whether you’re qualified at all. The voice in your head whispers:

· “What if they find out I don’t know what I’m doing?”

· “I’m not as good as they think.”

· “Someone else deserves this more than me.”

That voice has a name: Imposter Syndrome.

It’s not a diagnosis, but a well-documented mental health experience. Imposter syndrome makes capable, talented, hardworking people feel like frauds as though their success is a fluke or accident. It feeds fear of failure, perfectionism, and the endless cycle of not feeling good enough. But here’s the good news: God has already given us tools to silence those lies. The Bible speaks directly to the thought patterns that fuel imposter syndrome: doubt, fear, shame, unworthiness and shows us how to walk in the truth of who we are in Christ.

1. God Uses the Ordinary to Confound the Wise

1 Corinthians 1:27 says:
“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.”

Imposter syndrome whispers: “You’re not educated enough, not experienced enough, not good enough.” But Scripture reminds us: God delights in using the very people others overlook.

· Moses had a speech impediment yet was chosen to lead Israel.

· David was the youngest shepherd boy yet was anointed king.

· Peter and John were described in Acts 4:13as “unschooled, ordinary men” yet religious leaders were astonished at their boldness because they had been with Jesus.

Mental health insight: Imposter syndrome thrives on comparison. It magnifies what others have and minimizes what you bring to the table. This verse reframes the narrative: your worth is not tied to credentials or accolades — your calling is validated by God Himself.

So when doubt says, “Why me?” you can answer, “Why not me? God equips those He calls.”

2. New Wine Requires New Wineskins

Jesus taught in Matthew 9:17:
“Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out… but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.”

Here’s the truth about growth: You can’t embrace a new season while clinging to an old mindset. If you’ve always survived by people-pleasing, downplaying your worth, or blaming yourself, those “old wineskins” can’t hold the new opportunities God is pouring into your life.

Example: You get promoted to management. Instead of embracing the chance to lead, you panic: “I don’t deserve this. I’m not a real leader.” That’s an old wineskin talking. The new wine your answered prayer, your growth requires a renewed mindset.

Mental health insight: CBT (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) teaches us to identify distorted thoughts and replace them with healthier ones. The Bible says the same: transformation happens through the renewing of your mind (Romans 12:2).

Ask yourself: “Am I pouring new wine into old wineskins? What thought patterns need to shift for me to thrive in this new season?”

3. Take Every Thought Captive

2 Corinthians 10:4–5 gives us a powerful strategy:
“The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.”

Imposter syndrome is full of “imaginations” that exalt themselves against God’s truth:

· “You’re going to fail.”

· “You’re not enough.”

· “You don’t belong here.”

God’s response? Take those thoughts captive. Don’t let them run wild. Replace them with truth.

Mental health insight: This is reframing in action.

· Distorted thought: “I’m a fraud; I don’t know enough.”

· Truth: “I am learning, growing, and equipped for this moment.”

Every time you capture a thought, you weaken the stronghold it’s trying to build.

4. Imposter Syndrome in Everyday Life

Imposter syndrome doesn’t just show up in big achievements like publishing a book. It sneaks into many corners of life:

· At Work: You land a promotion but think, “They’ll regret hiring me.”

· In Parenting: You love your kids but whisper to yourself, “I’m failing them. Other parents do better.”

· In Ministry: You’re asked to lead a group or speak at church, but the voice says, “I’m not spiritual enough.”

· In Relationships: You fear, “If they see the real me, they’ll walk away.”

· In Creativity or Business: You launch something new, but doubt nags: “Who am I to think people will listen to me?”

Imposter syndrome thrives in silence. Naming it and recognizing how it shows up is the first step to healing.

5. Reframing the “Why Me?” Mindset

The biggest lie imposter syndrome tells is, “Why me?”Why would I be chosen? Why would anyone listen to me? Why would this opportunity come my way? But Scripture flips the question: “Why not you?”

If God chose Moses, David, and ordinary fishermen to carry His message, why wouldn’t He choose you? Acts 4:13 makes it clear: authority doesn’t come from titles but from time spent with Jesus.

Mental health insight: This mindset shift combats judgment, fear, and unworthiness. Instead of shrinking back, you can say: “I belong here because God placed me here.”

6. Practical Steps to Break Free

Here are some ways to align your faith and mental health when imposter syndrome shows up:

1. Journal Lies vs. Truths

· Write the recurring doubt (“I’m not good enough”).

2. Counter it with truth (“God chose the weak to confound the strong”).

· Practice “New Wineskin” Thinking

3. Ask yourself: “What old mindset do I need to release to grow here?”

· Capture and Replace Thoughts

4. When negative self-talk appears, pause and say: “I take this thought captive toChrist.”

· Replace it with Scripture or a balanced statement.

5. Seek Support

· Imposter syndrome thrives in isolation. Share your struggles with trusted friends, a mentor, or a therapist.

6. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection

· Small wins matter. Recognize effort and growth, not just outcomes.

Conclusion: You Belong in the Room

Imposter syndrome tells you that you don’t belong, that you’re not enough, that you’ll be exposed as a fraud. But Scripture tells a different story:

· God uses the overlooked and ordinary.

· He requires new thinking for new seasons.

· He gives us the authority to capture and reframe our thoughts.

So whether you’re stepping into a promotion, raising children, leading in ministry, or starting something new know this: You belong in the room because God put you there.

The next time doubt whispers “Why me?” answer boldly:

“Why not me? I am chosen, equipped, and called for this very moment.”