39 Comments
User's avatar
Jane's avatar

I literally pray sometimes that if I ever say something wrong in my writing, someone would call me out. That anxiety before posting is REAL! But this reminder? That obedience > perfection? Whew! Thank you for writing this!

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

That’s a beautiful idea. I think I’ll incorporate that as well! Thanks for sharing.

Expand full comment
Amy Balog's avatar

Appreciate this Grant. I have been speaking on peace over performance in the LinkedIn : corporate leadership world for awhile and felt for a long time that God wanted me to move this whole message into my faith. He is the peace I speak of. Substack is giving me a place to do this and I am grateful for it. I will be referring back to your article here I am sure 🙏❤️

Expand full comment
Audra Powers's avatar

"When you focus on obedience rather than performance, the pressure to be perfect lifts." This is something I'm really working on this year. Lots of great stuff you've shared. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Really appreciate your comments, Audra. Thank you!

Expand full comment
Marti Ahlman's avatar

Thank you. Your article hit the target. I am being called out of hibernation at age 78 to write and wrestling with many disqualifying doubts. The truth here sets me free from shrinking back.

Expand full comment
Wade Pan's avatar

Thank you Grant.

It reads like you wrote this just for me.

And when I read the comments of people here, I am so grateful there are more people who wrestle with the same.

I praise Him for the space He created through you.

Expand full comment
Emily Grabatin's avatar

"Ask God to clarify what He's calling you to write and who He's calling you to serve." A needed reminder. God has a way of simplifying what He first called me to be and do, after I've embelled it with complications. lol

Expand full comment
Zach Hindes's avatar

Love all these points - so important to understand that it’s alright that we don’t have it all figured out. But instead, be obedient to what God has called and that our inadequacies are used for His Glory in all things to encourage and to honor him.

Expand full comment
Raynya's avatar

The part about humility and insecurity really hit home for me. I am reminded that i am enough because He is more than enough. Im speaking a Christian writers workshop into being 👀

Expand full comment
Christine's avatar

Thank you for writing and sharing this article! I can relate and plan to incorporate these suggestions and begin- progress not perfection, right?

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Thank you for reading! And that's exactly right. And journey over destination. :)

Expand full comment
Daily Dad Reset's avatar

As a dad, a former principal, and someone trying to write honestly about both faith and real life, I feel this in my bones. It’s not just “Am I good enough?”—it’s “Did God actually nudge me toward this, or am I just typing into the void and calling it obedience?”

Sometimes I overthink every word. Other times I hit “publish” and immediately want to hide under a blanket. But I keep showing up because somewhere in the middle of the imposter syndrome, the Spirit still speaks. And I’d rather limp forward with that whisper than stay silent waiting for certainty.

Appreciate you naming it plainly. We need more of that.

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Wow, very well said.

Expand full comment
Obosa Imade's avatar

So many beautiful and helpful points. Growth is progressive. Obedience isn't performative, it's a journey of embracing our callings. Doing exactly what the Lord says to do regardless of our inadequacies, because it's really not about us, it's about His power at work in us, on us, and through us.

Thank you so much for sharing.

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Amen!

Expand full comment
Matt Bell's avatar

This is really helpful Grant. I appreciate the applications here. I wrote on this idea from a different angle with less application. 😀

It is helpful to learn from you on this. Thank you!

https://open.substack.com/pub/mattbellgr/p/fear-in-writing-imposter-syndrome?r=2x2r1l&utm_medium=ios

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Thanks Matt! I love the name of your publication by the way :)

Expand full comment
Matt Bell's avatar

Thanks Grant! That’s encouraging. It’s a bit niche but I like the opportunity it gives me to explain one of my favorite stories. My very first post explains the name so I usually direct folks there. 😀

Expand full comment
Jason Trice's avatar

This is the best thing I've read on impostor syndrome and extremely encouraging.

Thank you, Grant!

Expand full comment
Grant Herbel's avatar

Praise God! Thanks, Jason 😊

Expand full comment
Seeing Red Head's avatar

Thank you for writing and sharing this. It addresses exactly what I’ve been questioning as I transition from internal dialogue on faith issues to putting them into words to share with others.

Expand full comment
Wade Pan's avatar

This thread was percolating in my mind through today and I wanted to share this.

I stumbled onto this video and was fascinated that Jonathan Roumie had a similar experience, while he was in character playing Jesus in the Chosen Season 1. https://youtu.be/Vn-OGYc-i-0?si=6X-jQLVG13m2_DBN

Expand full comment
Grant Murray's avatar

This was awesome to read! Really opened my eyes to my writing and my start up business, especially after being with a client today. The enemy tries to feed me all these terrible things, but your work in this newsletter sir. God's grace upon your writing

Expand full comment
Susan Kuenzi's avatar

I'm glad you wrote this article, Grant. I look forward to reading this again slowly soon. I think the key for me personally is to spent plenty of time in His Word and in prayer so that I write from a place of resting in Him, not depending only on myself. You covered this important topic well...thanks!

Expand full comment