“Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them.” ~ Jer. 1:17 (NIV).

Reflection: That word “terrify” should not sit well with any of us. Other Bible versions use terms like “confound,” “dismay,” “cower,” “afraid,” “shatter,” and “destroy.” The Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) says, “or I will break you down before them.”

~ The verse must have been a difficult pill to swallow for Jeremiah. I mean, who would not be nervous about prophesying before a rogue audience like Jeremiah’s? And speaking for ourselves, who is not nervous before giving a talk or perhaps having a job interview or so many other things? 

I think that said verse addresses a common struggle many of us face: imposter syndrome. Whether it is situational or chronic, imposter syndrome makes us doubt our abilities and worthiness. However, God’s assurance in this verse is the antidote. But first, let us take a step back.

Stepping Back: Imposter Syndrome – Huh? What is that? IMO, Imposter syndrome, comes in two basic forms:

            • Situational Imposter Syndrome: Here and there in life, we can have imposter moments, causing temporary self-doubt. It is not a significant problem, however.  Life will go on. 

            • Chronic Imposter Syndrome: This is a pervasive feeling of inadequacy that permeates many areas of one’s life. This is a significant problem. 

Jeremiah might have faced his own moments of self-doubt, as many of us do when tasked with daunting responsibilities. Yet God’s words to him were clear: stand firm and speak boldly. And it may be God’s words to us, in a given situation.

The thing is . . . there are certain situations in life, where said verse has to be God’s words to us, because for God to give us a pass on imposter-like behavior would be for Him to enable us in our self-doubt and fear. But God is not an enabler. He cannot and will not allow our self-deceptions to get the best of us. Otherwise, how can we grow? We cannot. The fact is, if God said you can do something, then rest assured, you can do it. 

Practical: Here’s a story that I think connects with the above.

Charles Beauford, in his book “Weapons of Kings, Volume 1,” tells the following story:

“When I was in elementary school, I was chased home by a group of boys for a few weeks in a row. My stepfather, who was a Vietnam veteran, somehow found out. Let’s just say he wasn’t happy about it. So, on my last day of running from this group of five boys, my stepfather met me on the bridge with a large, leather belt on his shoulder. Looking at me with steely eyes, he said to me, ‘Either you whip them, or I whip you!’

Wow! Was I to be a lion or a lamb? Well, it wasn’t a hard decision. I was forced to fight. I dropped my backpack and turned around and beat up five boys. It seems I found courage and strength I did not know I had. Something changed in me. and my tormentors found out something about me, too. Two things happened out of that confrontation; I never ran again and they never chased me again.”