Impostor Syndrome

The Parking Lot David, Piazza Michelangelo, Florence Italy

This is not Michelangelo's David.

I call him "The Parking Lot David".

He's a poser.  

He's a fake.

Have you ever heard of Impostor Syndrome?  

It's basically feeling like a phony.  

As wives, mothers, and even as Christians, we sometimes feel like we're not what we should be. 

We're definitely not what others think we are.

And sometimes we're right.

But that can be a good realization if we allow it to prompt us to make the changes we know we should.

Paul urged Timothy to ". . .set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity".

I don't want the opinion of others to shape who I am.

I want God to do that.  

Only He can make me a genuine example to others. 

Only He can give me the right motivation, the sufficient power, and the unique blueprint that results in my being what He intends for me to be. 

God is an expert at Project Management.  

When things get off track I often get a G-mail.

No, not the kind from Google's mail service.

These messages originate with God Himself and the Holy Spirit delivers them directly to my Inbox.

Here are a few I have received over the years listed by their Subject tag:

Speech

Psalm 141:3

Set a guard over my mouth O LORD;  keep watch over the door of my lips.

Ephesians 4:29

Don't let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Life

Romans 12:1

. . .in view of God's mercy, offer your bodies (lives) as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God---which is your spiritual worship.

2 Timothy 2:4

no one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 Love

James 2:8

If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself", you do well

1 John 3:18

My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

1 Timothy 1:5

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith.

Faith

Hebrews 11:6

Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Romans 4:20

He (Abraham) did not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God

Romans 10:17

So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Purity

Matthew 5:8

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

1 John 3:3

And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

1 Peter 1:22

Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart

Do you trust God's design for Project You?

Over the years I've learned that I can trust without understanding.  

I don't have to know the answers to all my "why" questions.

I don't have to weigh in on every segment of the process.

I just have to show up every day.

I just have to do what's assigned to me.

It's a life of faith.

Faith is believing what God has said.

It's a life of trust.

Trust is acting on that belief.

Psalm 119:73

Your hands made me and formed me; 

give me understanding to learn your commands.

You're not a fake, you just aren't finished yet.