Everyone is better than me. I’m not doing enough. I don’t deserve to be here. 

These are the thoughts that plague a sufferer of imposter syndrome, and they can become debilitating, haunting every action and every thought. 

My go-to person when addressing imposter syndrome has become St. Joseph. Joseph was a simple carpenter whom God selected to be the husband of Mary, the only sinless human being, and the foster father of Jesus. Joseph could have looked at Jesus and thought “I’m not good enough to raise Him.” He could have looked at Mary and thought “I’m not good enough to be her husband.” He could have looked at God the Father and thought “I’m not good enough to step into His place as a dad.” 

But he didn’t. Joseph obeyed the Lord, protected and honored Mary, and loved Jesus. Joseph was the only person through which sin could enter the Holy Family and not only did He stand as a nearly impenetrable wall against sin, but he wasn’t ashamed of the reality that he was, in fact, a sinner. Joseph knew God’s will for his life and immediately stepped into the role that was asked of him instead of doubting if he was capable.

When we feel like we aren’t good enough compared to those around us, let us look to the humility and obedience of St. Joseph to assure us that we are exactly where we are called to be. 

St. Joseph, Terror of Demons and Terror of Imposter Syndrome, pray for us!