Confronting Main Character Syndrome

Recently, my daughter told me about an interaction with a co-worker and wrapped it up with this line: “They were giving main character energy.”

I nodded my head, pretending I knew what that meant, but my face must have given me away.

She graciously explained that main character syndrome is when someone sees themselves as the center of the story, acting as if everything and everyone exists to play a role in their narrative.

I think we’re all born with main character syndrome.

It’s why we’re tempted to filter events, relationships, and even God through a “me first” lens instead of seeing ourselves as part of His story.

The cure is to know that God is eternal.

Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.

This verse shatters the illusion that life is random, temporary, and in my control.

• God existed before anything else.
• He’ll exist long after time as we know it ends.
• Creation isn’t random.
• And I’m not the center of my story. He is.

Standing next to the eternal God makes me painfully aware of my own brevity. I am not him.

And because I’m not Him, I can place my life in the hands of the One who has always been and always will be.

In God’s story, you’re not the lead role. But you’re loved, chosen, and given a part to play. And that’s far better.