Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Automatically generated from the video captions and lightly tidied, so expect the odd misheard word.

Who defines you. Because if you if you don't define yourself, someone else will define you. They will tell you who you are. I've overheard many funny conversations from my kids who have given me permission to share what I'm about to share. The first one being my children talking about their identity and who they are. So, my sons call themselves black and my daughter says she's more white, so she's mixed.

And they will have heated arguments about this. But to be honest, their dad is Zimbabwean and I'm Irish, so both is true. You know, they're they're all right. But sometimes they're having these conversations talking about who they are and figuring out life. And sometimes they get a little bit wrong and that's when I have to step in because I love them so much. I don't want them thinking something false about them who they are.

So there was one conversation that I overheard one of my sons who shall be named nameless was sharing well yeah we're we're half we're half and the other one was like no it doesn't make sense and my first son said well yeah we're half immigrant because dad's an immigrant so we're half immigrants and I had to step in and say well guys actually being an immigrant is it's not an identity It's an experience. So yes, your dad because he's moved from Zimbabwe to Ireland is technically an immigrant, but that's his experience. And even though you are half of your dad, you can't take that. That's not part of your identity. And so it's important to counteract the falsalseness with the truth. And the thing is, I was able to do that because I love them and I know a little bit more than they do, but I loved how they were trying to figure out the world and figure out the world around them.

And their role in it. I'm going to shame myself now. But there's something to being known, to being called. And but yet, for example, if you're in Starbucks and the wrong name is on your coffee cup, do you go and have a mental breakdown? Well, depends how depends how needed that coffee is. Well, for example, Melanie, when I introduced you to three different people as Melody, did you go and change your bzzers?

No. Okay. Why? Because you knew the truth, right? You're like, "I don't know why." Karen, when I called you Jeremy for three weeks, you remember. Did you tell your wife, "Okay, start calling me Jeremy." No.

Because you knew the truth. So the thing is when you know the truth thing things like things like a lie or something that's untrue that's said about you like me mis miss m miss m miss m miss m miss m miss m miss m miss m miss your names is not going to it's not going to faz you not going home thinking who am I need to change my driving license I need to do this because Caroline called me the wrong name because if that's where people went I would be screwed cuz I'm really bad with names one name that I do know and I introduce you all to my guy Tony. This is Tony. And it has been Tony's birthday this week. Can everyone say happy birthday Happy birthday, Tony. So, oh, what's that?

You want to sing? Okay. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear. Happy birthday to you.

Woo. This is why I'm glad Osen is not in the room. But there is something to be called to being called by name. The right name, right? Okay. It's there's something about it that you feel seen.

You feel good. You feel like I matter. And that actually is the psychology behind the Starbucks naming your cups. But then it kind of goes downhill because they never get it right. Anyway, but what happens what happens when the person who's who's calling you isn't calling you to value, isn't calling out your value, isn't encouraging you? Yes, they might be calling you your name, but are they speaking truth to you about who you are, or are they speaking lies?

What about What about when you can never get the right grades in school and your mom is always mad? What about when your sibling is just always poking you and arguing with you and frustrated with you? What about when your boss, no matter how hard you try, keeps rolling their eyes when you enter the room? What about when every time every time you call that one person they block or they reject? What about that friend group that you used to be a part of who are now meeting up without you? What happens then?

What about when people stop calling you at all? You think, well, what's wrong with me? And what happens when you look in the mirror and it's and it's not nice things that are going through your mind. It's nasty. It's horrible. It's it's thoughts like you're not good enough.

Why even try? You won't get that job. Why bother? Why are you here? The world would be better off without you. That is a lie that we are going to look into right now because the enemy to move us as far away from the truth of God as possible.

And he does that through other people's words and our own internal dialogue. And that is not of God. And we are going to look at that today. We're going to look at who God says you are. So, we are going to go into Genesis. We're going to start in Genesis and just we're going to start in Genesis and then we're going to bop around a couple of different places because I want you to know that I'm just I'm not just taking one verse and saying, "Okay, this is who you are." Like, God says it repeatedly, repeatedly, repeatedly.

And I have extra verses. If after if after today you feel like I haven't thrown enough of the Bible at you, we can go further. So we're going to stay on this one for just a few minutes. So, Genesis is the very first book in the Bible. And this is the story of creation and it says, "So God created mankind in his own image. In the image of God, he created them.

Male and female he created them." So I when I read this I'm seeing repetition. Okay. So God created mankind. That means humankind in his own image. Okay. Yes we heard you God.

In the image of God he created them. Okay. Well you're literally saying the same And then he says male and female he created them. Yet you said that already God. Why are you why are you doing that? It's important.

That's why because God knows that when we read through something, it doesn't hit us the first time. So he's like, he's like, "Guys, I'm creating you in my image." And we're like, "Okay, yeah, yeah. What's next?" And he's like, "No, no, no, no. In the im in my image, you are being made." And we're like, "Yeah, okay. What else? What's what's next?

Cuz you know, you give me stuff to do. What? What?" And he's like, "Yes, male and female are created in my image." See the importance of this. See how big a deal this is. Not only that God did it, but that he wants us to know it and we can move on cuz it's like, come on. Yeah.

Yeah. I get it. I get it. He said three times God. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number. Fill the earth and subdue it.

Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves along the ground. Then God said, "I give you every seedbearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And all to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground, everything that has the breath of life in it, I give every green plant for food. And it was so. God saw all that he had made and it was very good.

And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. I'm just going to sit on this one for a God saw all that he had made. So if you haven't read Genesis, so basically it's a it's a stepping stone of what he what God makes on day one and he and he looks at what he made and it was good. God makes on day two, looks at what he makes, it was good. God, same with day three, it was good. Day four, it was good.

Day five, it was good. Day six, it was very good. And what was the difference on day six? We were made, guys. You know, so God is taking a step back and he's looking at all that he had made. And it wasn't just good, it was very good.

And so let's let's take a step back at that whole passage and see the points of who we are. So, who does God say that I am? So in this passage specifically, we are created in the in the image of God. We get it, God. We but we love it. We don't we won't fully understand it, but that's amazing.

We were created with purpose and real we were we were created with a job. We were created with work. I've spoken about this before. Before sin into the world, we had work, but work was good. We were created equal male and We were created with purpose again to increase and rule. And God saw all that he had made and he calls you very good.

And this is not the only passage. We're going to look at something that is quite a well-known passage. It's in the Psalms and it speaks of I'll just read it. For God created for you created my innermost being. You knit me together in my mother's womb. It should be next one.

I praise thee because I'm fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well. This verse there's another verse in Jeremiah that speaks the same as well. It's all throughout it's all throughout the Bible. This idea that God creates you and he knits you together and it's a beautiful thing and it's it's it's not an accident.

You are created in the image of God fearfully and wonderfully. But what about when I don't feel like that? What about when yes, God, you say I was created in your image, but I still keep messing up. But what about when you say, "Yes, I was created in your in your image, but I disobeyed again." You know what about when yes God you say I was created in your in your image but this person keeps telling me again and again and again how waste what a useless person I am. What a waste of space. What about God when yes you say I'm created in your image but God when I look at myself in the mirror and I say this is not where I wanted to be at 30.

This is not where I wanted to be at 40. So, just like earlier when we were talking about, you know, me mis misnaming Cameron and Mel Melanie, I was about to do it again. It just flies over their head because they know the truth. We are going to we are going to know the truth of who God says you are so that when a lie comes we can answer with truth. So we're going to go we're going to bop a little bit all over. So when the lie says who do you think you are?

The truth is I'm chosen. So I want you to say it with me. So 3 2 1 I am chosen. And that's what we're that's what we sing of. I am chosen. Genesis 1:27 is what we read earlier and it was that you are created in the image of God.

Three times he said it, you are chosen. You are created in God's image. One Peter 2 verse 9 speaks about you are a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a chosen people. This is this is a guy called Peter sending a letter to scattered Christians in Turkey. And he is and he's encouraging them. He's encouraging to them to continue in their faith because they're struggling.

They know the truth, but they're surrounded by people who don't care about what they care about and they're struggling with how to live their life. And he's sending this encouragement and he's saying, "You are chosen. Don't forget that." And we and we need that. We need we need to not only know it in Genesis, but we also need each other to remind to remind ourselves. He's like, "Yes, you know, but remember you're chosen." The next lie says, "What happens when you're not good enough?" So then the truth is that God qualifies me. So the lie is you are not good enough, but the truth is God qualifies me.

So say it after 2 1 2 God qualifies me. To Exodus 4 verse 10 to 12 it's speaks of a guy called Moses and Moses was called by God to do a great feat and Moses says choose someone else. I don't know I don't know what to say. I don't know what to do. I that I can't do that. That's too great for me.

And God says, "But I am gonna be with you." So, I can't remember. Two Corinthians. I have it in my pocket. Oh, therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come, the old is gone. No, that's 3:5. I'll find it later.

I feel Yeah, I apologize. I did check them before, but I didn't memorize them. But it's the same with I should have thrown up a Joshua there instead. Jeremiah and a Joshua as well. Is like these are people who weren't in their own strength good enough but because God was with them he qualifies them. Let's look at the next lie.

You are going to mess up which I already have but God is with me so it's okay. So when the lie says you are going to mess up the truth is failure isn't final and I am forgiven. Proverbs speaks about the righteous falling down seven times and rising up again and but the foolish people just stay down when they And then Romans 8:1. Oh my word. Cuz when I was writing it, I knew it. Oh yes.

Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. So when you try something and it doesn't work out, it's not a failure. When God calls you to do something, and you're and the lie says, "I can't do that." But if God is with you, you can. And it kind of mixes in with the next lie as well. Someone else can do it better. And the truth actually is if God calls me, I will step up.

So, let's say that together. If God calls me, I will step Jeremiah, that's my friend. And Jeremiah, so God calls this guy called Jeremiah. And Jeremiah says, "No, I'm too young." sounds very similar to what Moses said. Moses said, "I can't speak." Jeremiah, he's like, "No, no, I'm too I'm too young. Someone else can do it better." And God says, "No, this is for you.

I am with you. I will tell you the words to speak." One Corinthians, please, Lord Jesus, be here. No, it's not. I'm pretty sure I'll look it up later, guys. Thank you, Janice. Do you want to find one Corinthians 1 verse 22 27?

look at your situation. Go for it. God cho. Yes, I knew it. It was in the back of my mind. But God chose what the world considers foolish to shame the wise.

God chose what the world considers weak to shame the strong. And essentially it's very similar to a lot of different situations in the Bible where God calls the weakest or the poorest so that the testimony so that the response when that person succeeds and survives and thrives is it had to be God. They were so weak and so scrawny. How did David slay Goliath? It's impossible. Had to be God.

That's that's why when you go from nothing to something and you're like that was not in my own doing, it had to be God. That's why this is the this is the truth that I need to say to myself. If God calls me, I will step up. 15 years ago, my pastor at the time asked me to lead a youth group. And the lie that I had was someone else can do it better. Oh, sorry.

Thank you very much. The lie was that someone else can do it better. And I said no. And a couple years ago, I was part of a great church and I was asked by that pastor again. Sorry, it's a new pastor, pastor of the new church. Doesn't make a difference.

And he said, "Would you lead this youth group?" And I said, "Yes." And that youth group thrived. And I'm like, "You know what the truth was? If God calls me, I will step up." And I did two or three years ago. I was asked to speak in front of a in a conference where there was about 500 people and Elias said someone else can do it better and I said no. And that was something that God has worked on me to say you know what if God calls me I will step up because God doesn't want the most eloquent people. God doesn't want the people who are so charismatic they can they can sell ice to the polar bears.

Like God wants people who are obedient and who love him and who care for him. And he is going to be the one who takes that person and does abundance with them so that everyone can turn around and say Janie Mack, what came out of her mouth today, this is what I'm speaking right now. Like I never knew she could talk like that. No, she always is such a waffler. Yeah, but you know what? That was God.

The same with this church. How this church is being built. I can take a step back and say it's not because of me. It's not because of my husband. It's this church is here because of the prayers and the people walking in obedience who God has brought here. It's got nothing to do with me.

So, if God calls me, I will step up. That's a challenge for anyone who thinks oo someone else can do it better. And we'll do the next one. So the lie says you are going to fail again. But the truth is God is not finished with me. I am being made new every day.

So let's say it after two. One 2. God is not finished with me. I am being made new every day. Isaiah 41:10 and Philippians 1:6, guys, anyone in the room with a Bible? So Isaiah 41:10, if someone can look that up and shout it out and Philippians 1:6, Axel, go into the back.

Isaiah 41:10. So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Amen.

God is with you. That is the Isaiah verse. God is God is with you and is making you new every single day. Does anyone have Philippians? Philippians 1 verse 6. Go for it.

Six. I'm sure about this. The one who start a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. Amen. Thank you. So we are constantly being made new and that's what God wants for us as well.

He cares more about our heart and our journey than the task. If he wanted perfection, he could do it. I know that I serve a God who is so powerful. He doesn't need me. He does not need my help. He but he cares about me.

Why? Because I'm created in his image. It doesn't make sense to me because that's not what I base my worth on. That's not what other people base their words on, but that's what God bases his worth on. The fact that you are created in his image and he knows who you are. So this is not this is not new, guys.

Back at the beginning when everything was perfect, when Adam and Eve were created in the image of God, and everything and they were in the garden and they were given a purpose and everything was perfect, something the next verse, thank you. Now, the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, "Did God really say you must not eat from any tree in the garden? Doesn't this sound familiar? Did God really say? Did God really say, "But don't you know, but yeah, I know the Bible says this, but you know better.

I know the Bible says this, but this will be more fun." I know the Bible says this, but what about the enemy distorts and he has twisted truth from the very beginning and he is not going to stop now because it is the main way that he can hurt us and pull us away. He twists He twists what we know to be true and he makes us doubt. Whether it's someone else saying lies over us or whether it's our inner voice, he changes things. Yeah, but remember the last time you failed? Yeah. Yeah, but I know, but how many times can God really forgive you?

Yeah, but I know, but they're better than you. No, you are created in the image of God. You are chosen. You have an opportunity to be free and forgiven. We're going to talk about this next week when we look at who God is. But God so loved the world, the whole world, every single person who's created in his image that he sent his son in human form.

Therefore, it's got to be special to die so that anyone who believes in him can be for God so loved the world that he gave his only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jamie Mack, I got one right. So we are going to do some declarations, some positivity. I this okay this is so funny the way that this is happening. I hate being told what to do and I hate especially in church being told what to do. Mother's Day, the last two Mother's Day, we were in we were in our friend's church and every Mother's Day they say, "Oh, any mothers in the room, stand up." And I sit there and I'm like, "I'm not standing up." And they give chocolates out to everyone and Oz is like, "Well, you did didn't get a chocolate." I'm like, "I don't care.

They don't tell me what to do." So, if you're introvert like me and you don't want to do this, that's fine. I have these little cards that have the declaration at the front and the actual verses at the back and they're all over near the next step. So, if you did want to take them and have a look and to read them by yourself because I didn't tell you and that's fine. You can do that. But for anyone who feels comfortable to say the truth of who God says I am together, let's read this together. So the truth is I am created in the image of God.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made. I am chosen and belong to him. I am a new creation. I am not condemned. I am strengthened by Christ. God is with me.

God is not finished with me. So the first two of these are global and it's for absolutely every single person in the world. Every single person in this world, whether they believe in Jesus, whether they don't believe in Jesus, is created in the image of God. Every single person in this world is fearfully and wonderfully made. the rest of these promises are for God's chosen people. And so those are people who believe people who have put their trust in Jesus and have decided to live for him and have and want to want to be closer to God who recognize yes God Jesus did come down in human form died on the cross taking the punishment that I deserve and rose again and now in response I know that I am chosen.

And free and forgiven. And that's what we're going to sing now. I can I can say because I believe that I'm a new creation. I mean, thank God I'm not the same person I was before I met Jesus because that's not a nice person. And thank you, Jesus, I'm not condemned. Thank you, Jesus, that I'm strengthened by Christ.

As a believer, I can say that God is with me. God has been with me. Has been talking. Thank you. And even now with all the things that I've messed up as a believer, I can say God is not finished with me. And so these are the words and the promises.

And if you enter this room not knowing Jesus and not knowing what it's all about, you still have an opportunity for these truths to be yours as well. This is this is this is not only for people who are of a particular lineage. Like I said, for God so loved the whole world, God so loves every single person in this room that Jesus died for you and you have an opportunity to live for him as well. And so as we sing this song made for more again, sorry guys, I was able to choose a song. Please just ponder on those words as we sing them and declare them over your