Caught in the cycle

Welcome back!

My heart is so full from all the love I have received on the launch of this journey! I am humbled by the kind words and encouragement. I've been thinking on my next post and honestly I just didn't know what to say/write/do. Which was scary because this is only my second post. HAHA. But as I sat down I knew exactly who I needed to write to. To the girl that is always on my mind....

My heart goes out to the broken girl in the crowd that is stuck in the comparison trap of life. It's a roller coaster ride of emotions that lead to a desperate cry of acceptance. We live in a world that is constantly chanting, "BE YOURSELF," yet they don't really mean it. "Be Yourself" has become cliche and only translates to mean "Be you but only within our standards and guidelines." It's sad and makes the world seem like such a miserable place to play dress up.

As girls, we tend to find ourselves comparing, compromising, and calculating TOO OFTEN. We seem to think if we are as pretty as the girl on Instagram, as smart as the CEO of the company you love, or as funny as the woman in the comedy then we will somehow peak in life. But honestly, that's just not true. Trying to reach any of those ideals will only drive you deeper and deeper into the black hole that is comparison. Because guess what? The ideal you are chasing now will never be enough. Once you reach that high note, you'll only be chasing the next one. Your soul will continue to feel unsatisfied, empty, and weak.

Why do I know this? Because I was trapped in the comparison cycle for what seemed like my whole life. For the longest time I beat myself up about not being pretty enough for the boys that only wanted one thing, or for being born with severe allergies that cost others to not eat their favorite foods, or for not being the smartest person in the room when I was trying my absolute best that just seemed wasn't ever good enough. I let those thoughts rule and reign over the small and seemingly worthless reality in my head. But in the midst of the brokenness and unrecognizable person I had become, I was met with love and unexchangeable acceptance. I finally found the One who did not try to limit who I was in exchange for tolerance and acceptance. I found the One who shaped every piece of my DNA to be the Madelynn Duke that I am today. True joy, confidence, and love come from being FREE and BELIEVING in who you are called to be. And when I say called to be, I mean who God made you to be.

Don't get me wrong. I still find myself running in the cycle of comparison. But those lies do not control me anymore. I found freedom in my awkward, quiet, mess of a self because I found the One who made me for such a time as this. When those lies begin to creep in, I push them away by confiding in my circle of trust and fight with the truth of His word. I have to remind myself that no one is created to be like me because that's not the point. The point is in the unique, intricate, design of each one of us. It's the Soul Purpose. And don't you forget it.

Whether you're 13 years old or 50 years old, we all struggle with this too often. We allow comparison to quiet us, restrain us, and hold us back. I've met ladies from both ends of the spectrum and it ALL comes back to one thing: self-c

onfidence. So check yourself. Where is your worth coming from? Instagram, Facebook, Work, School??? Or is it coming from the one that made your heart?

Challenge yourself today. When comparison creeps into your heart, soul, and mind; push it away with Esther 4:14 "...perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created." Maybe you write that on your wrist for a reminder, or maybe you take action and post a selfie with that as the caption to reinforce your confidence, or maybe you simply hide that in your heart and allow it to whisper quietly through your thoughts. Whatever you do, remember that you are who HE says you are. And that is loved, chosen, strong, and beautiful.

Thanks for tuning in today! I hope this starts your Monday off with a bang. I love you deeply. You are The Soul Purpose.