Albert Einstein may have suffered from Impostor Syndrome—the tendency for accomplished people to suspect they’re frauds. He said, “The exaggerated esteem in which my lifework is held makes me very ill at ease.” Few among us would question Einstein’s colossal contributions to physics. If he doubted his work, where do the rest of us stand?
The flip side of Impostor Syndrome is the Dunning-Kruger effect, in which incompetent people see themselves as gifted. In other words, the clueless are clueless about their own ineptitude, while those who doubt their abilities are often among the high achievers.
A connection to our spiritual life becomes apparent here. If we’re aware of our spiritual struggles, or if we have doubts, that’s a healthy sign that we’re in the fight. It’s when we think we’re fine that we’re spiritually dead. The author of Hebrews pointed to our struggle as something positive. “Have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?” he asked (Hebrews 12:5). Then he noted how God disciplines and corrects those who are truly His children. “If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all” (Hebrews 12:8). Strong words that help us understand our need for divine correction!
Thankfully, our spiritual well-being isn’t tied to our competence. We’re completely reliant upon God’s love and Jesus’ work on the cross on our behalf. “When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us,” Paul wrote, “not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:4-5).
God is with you in your spiritual struggles. You’re no impostor!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Esther 5:1-14
More:
Read Ephesians 2:8-10 and see what Paul wrote about the saving work of Jesus and our responsibility to serve Him.
Next:
When you struggle spiritually, how do you react? Do you turn to Christ and other believers? Rely on your own strength? How can you tap into God’s wisdom and guidance?
Gary Shultz on May 6, 2016 at 3:41 am
Hi Tim, my life has had dabs of each, why miss out on a bad thing? I have driven all over the road of life and have had some damage along the way. Strangely enough, God still is interested in reckless travelers and offers a better way. I would not know how anyone can stand in God’s presences and still feel they have arrived and gifted the world with their wonderfulness. We are completely reliant on God’s love and Jesus’ work, as you say. We soon find out God knows exactly who we are and has a plan beyond our crazy swerving. What is really amazing to me is God keeps on pulling people out of the ditch of life and continues to offer His patience guidance. Thanks Tim, watch out for distracted travelers.
Tim Gustafson on May 6, 2016 at 8:08 am
Gary, I always get blessed by your posts. I feel we are kindred spirits. Yeah, it IS strange how God remains interested in us, and His patience is beyond amazing. That just makes me feel so LOVED!
sandy229 on May 6, 2016 at 10:19 am
When we see people like that who have arrived and gifted the world with their wonderfulness, that’s when we really need to take a detour. lol
gagirllive on May 6, 2016 at 11:01 am
This reminds me of one of my favorite hymns, “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us”. There is a stanza that says, “I will not boast in anything—no gifts, no power, no wisdom. But I will boast in Jesus Christ—His death and resurrection.” It’s in knowing how graced we are that produces humility in us. Praise Him!
sandy229 on May 6, 2016 at 4:55 pm
Now that song is going through my mind…..thanks for that 🙂
sandy229 on May 6, 2016 at 4:59 pm
Just like I thought, I have this song on my iPhone, so now I am listening to it.
Tim Gustafson on May 6, 2016 at 8:02 pm
That is one of my favorites! So now I’m listening to it. 🙂
gagirllive on May 6, 2016 at 7:25 am
Hey, Tim. There are two things I’m acutely aware of—what a terrible sinner I am and what a merciful Savior God is. This is the only way I know to have a correct view of myself. If I do nothing but gaze at the former, I lose sight of the glory and grace of the latter. God knows the mess I am, and He still loves me—BUT it is a corrective love, as the Hebrews passage teaches. He loves me too much to leave me the way I am. Hallelujah! All I know to do is come before Him without pretense and give Him all that I am and all that I’m not. Ephesians 2:10 tells me that He’s still into fashioning masterpieces out of dirt and making them useful in His Kingdom. How awesome is that?! Thanks, Tim, for reminding us that we have a Savoir who doesn’t mind getting His hands dirty. Praise God—He’s in the struggle with us!
Tim Gustafson on May 6, 2016 at 8:13 am
Thanks, gagirllive. I might add that God brings us into community with other believers so that we can help each other. That gets messy too, but it’s the way God likes to do things. He gets the glory! I love how you note that we “come before Him without pretense.” He already knows we’re a mess, and that becomes truly liberating. We don’t have to hide a thing. He knows us!
gagirllive on May 6, 2016 at 9:02 am
Amen, Tim. It’s definitely a family affair. We find encouragement there. Also, as I ponder this more, I’m reminded of Paul’s account of his own spiritual struggles in Romans 7: 24,25. “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Praise the Lord we have a surpassing victory through all our struggles because of Christ!
sandy229 on May 6, 2016 at 10:15 am
Amen gagirl!!
jim spillane on May 6, 2016 at 12:22 pm
gagirllive – we here at this forum are so blessed to have a participant like you. Thanx for being a part of this community. I don’t comment that often, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t read ODJ each day along with the wonderful comments. (even if I miss a day, I try to remember to go back and catch up). I find it quite thought-provoking and inspirational. Today, you touched on Ephesians 2:10 and how God is “fashioning masterpieces out of dirt……., and let us always remember that this is possible Only If we let Him. How many out there often seem to wrestle with our Almighty Father.
gagirllive on May 6, 2016 at 12:36 pm
You make a great point, Jim. He is the Potter; we are the clay. It goes better for us if we’re pliable, doesn’t it? But even when this dirt is hard as rock, His Spirit has a way of softening us. Thank God for that or I’d be a lump of clay tossed out, for sure! Always glad to hear your thoughts, brother.
Tom Felten on May 6, 2016 at 9:26 am
Tim, there’s a humility that comes when we’re dealing with spiritual struggles. I’m grateful for them, for they keep me on my knees—seeking the wisdom that comes from our heavenly Father!
sandy229 on May 6, 2016 at 10:13 am
Every time I think I am doing better spiritually, my pride gets in the way every time. That’s because I can do nothing on my own, but only what God does through me. I don’t want the credit for something God does through me, it doesn’t belong to me and when I try to do things on my own, I realize I made the same stupid mistake again. One thing for sure, I cannot rely on my own strength to get me out of struggles. I have to rely on God, it’s the only way I can get through any kind of struggle, and believe me there are many. I can tap into God’s guidance by seeking first His kingdom, by talking with Him and asking for His help and guidance and by reading His word, and more of His word. I’m truly thankful for all my friends here who help me in ways that God shows to them. God knows what we need when we need it before we even know we need it. I am thankful for all my Christian family!! Sometimes a word from them always comes at the right time and it’s like God told them what I needed.
samgaskill on May 6, 2016 at 1:57 pm
It is such a comfort Sandy that our mistakes are no match for His grace!! We can each press on knowing God will use all our circumstances, the wise choices and the self-assured ones too: ). I too am grateful for the teaching moments I glean from here!!
samgaskill on May 6, 2016 at 12:04 pm
Wonderful comments from everyone. Lots to ponder on. We surely cannot lean on our own understanding! Feeling grateful for Gods mercy and love in my life. Also, I am drawn to pray for lost souls who have never experienced discipline done in love. I ask God to change hearts that wield punishment in anger and self-righteousness. I ask God to heal hearts where punishment means only fear. Sadly, many people use force, and demeaning language as a way to correct wrong behavior rather than “loving” correction which can build, encourage and not destroy. Gods perfect correction does not contain shame or torment. Unfortunately, discipline in this world sometimes does. I suspect there are some who run at the mention of God because they are fearful of what that might mean, not understanding perfect love that protects while it teaches. Our love is not like Gods love which is perfect and casts out fear. I ask God to help us bring His love which is healing, and to bind up the wounds others have caused that hearts will be open and even seek out His loving discipline which all are in need of. Amen.
gagirllive on May 6, 2016 at 12:46 pm
Samgaskill, your comments encourage me today as I pray for my prodigals. I am anxious to see God’s loving discipline in their lives. In honest confession, I fear what may have to happen for them to return. Your comments echo 1 John 4: 18. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” Thank you for reminding me of this truth today, friend!
samgaskill on May 6, 2016 at 1:12 pm
Gagirl! I copied that verse a long time ago and only in recent years have come to understand it; at least partly so:) May the Lord be merciful in bringing “home” your prodigals, His children! As they come to see Him as their Lord, may they see His goodness, His lovingkindness, and His discipline through eyes of understanding! I am reminded today to be gentle with the lost sheep who know not yet the depth of our Fathers love. That none be afraid to experience freedom from sin and its consequences, because their Father in Heaven is perfect. All He does he does from a heart of love. Be blessed and thank you for sharing what God shares with you!!
sandy229 on May 6, 2016 at 4:48 pm
I love how you put that, thank you for sharing what God shares with you!! To God be the glory forever and ever.
godlove on May 6, 2016 at 1:29 pm
Great topic today Tim, thanks for reminding us to keep our feet grounded, knowing that we must rely fully and only on God’s grace and mercy to see us through the journey. The story of Einstein and the Impostor Syndrome contrasted with the Dunning-Kruger effect made me think of Paul’s words in Romans 12:3 “Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us” and also 1 Corinthians 10:12 “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” I have experienced (and still do) many spiritual struggles of my own and I am humbled and my confidence is renewed each time when I realise that I will never overcome my struggles by my personal effort but rather by God’s grace. The journey is not meant to be easy, but I trust everything to God for I know that (2 Corinthians 4:8) “We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.” I am so thankful to God that He never gives up on me and keeps showing me His mercy day after day.
samgaskill on May 6, 2016 at 1:52 pm
Yes, amen. Not because of any righteous thing we have done. There is none good; not one. Only because our God is merciful can we say we are His children! Bless you friend and may you experience joy in this journey of faith as you press on.
Tim Gustafson on May 6, 2016 at 8:10 pm
I have loved the forum today. Thank you, my brothers and sisters. You really bless us. “Morning by morning new mercies I see.” That’s our God!