DOES SUSIE JONES ANNOY THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF YOU?

I'm gonna call her "Susie Jones."   She's the woman you know who has the perfect life.  She has a handsome husband, who has a fantastic job making a huge amazing salary.  Oh, yes, and of course "Susie" is one of the prettiest women you know - always dressing with the latest and expensive clothes. Susie is not one pound overweight, and so she looks GREAT in every amazing outfit she wears.  You, on the other hand,  struggle to find something you can afford to buy and then pray that the clothing you can afford comes in a size large enough to hide all your extra pounds.

Susie's house is amazing and decorated the way you dream of decorating your house if you could. But of course you cannot because your husband's job does not pay the money that Mr. Jones is paid, and your house is not like Susie's amazing house in any way, shape or form.  Susie has amazing talent, and everyone applauds her creative genius.  To add insult to injury, her children are the most popular, the smartest, and role models for everyone around.  They look perfect, they act perfect, and you are convinced they ARE perfect.  Your kids never make the honor roll, and don't have an overabundance of friends.

Susie and her husband are also involved at church.  Her husband is one of the lay leaders at church, and the guy that other guys come to for advice.  Your husband is never a leader and always a follower and secretly you wish he was more like "Mr. Jones."

So, you probably think I am going to tell you that "Susie" isn't perfect, and has secret heartaches that you could never imagine.  Well, trust me, that's the truth. But why should I have to tell you that?  And why does that make you feel better inside?  Does it bother you at all that you feel some satisfaction knowing  that Susie's life isn't perfect? I have spoken to countless "Susie's"  who have confided to me that they have pain, and they shed tears, and they have heartache. Why? They're human, that's why.

Still, your life seems pitiful and paltry compared to the perfection of of the "Susie's" that you know.

But "Shhhh...don't ever tell anyone" that the Susie Jones of this world annoy the living daylights out of you.  Why?  O.K. I' going to tell you why but you may not like what I'm about to write:

• You're jealous of Susie Jones.  When you compare yourself to her and her life.. you feel less than she is.  And that makes you angry.  It's just plain old human, sinful JEALOUSY.  And not only are you JEALOUS of Susie...

• You're covetous of the things she has. You secretly wish you had HER life, her house, her husband, her looks, her reputation. You are angry because you can't figure out why she DESERVES what she has.. when you feel like you DESERVE it too.

You know, sometimes we get so cemented in our sinful attitudes and way of thinking that we don't understand that we are called to be content with what we have.  Yes. The rule of life is to BE CONTENT WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.. rather than DISCONTENT BECAUSE OF WHAT OTHERS HAVE.
We give ourselves permission to have unloving feelings about others in our hearts.... and forget that it is OUR hearts we will have to give an account about to our Creator.  And speaking of our Creator, when we pout about what we don't have.. when we feel the life we are living is unfair... we are in essence arguing with God about the way He is dealing with US.

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.  Does a clay pot argue with its maker?Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’Does the pot exclaim,‘How clumsy can you be?’"  Isaiah 45:9

So one of the ways Mrs. Older is loving you is to ask you to tell yourself the truth. Jealousy is sin.  Covetousness is sin.  Anger is sin.  Hatred is sin.  Sin is sin. Sin separates us from the Presence of God.  We are like little jealous prodigal princesses... never understanding that it is our hidden ugly attitudes that are causing the breakdown in hearing His LOVING voice.

BUT.. WAIT...  the GOOD NEWS is that WHEN we CONFESS our sin to the Lord.. 

HE is faithful and just to forgive US.. and then HE CLEANSES US from all the effects of our unrighteousness.  Not only is HE willing and longing to FORGIVE you of your JEALOUSY.. HE IS ABLE TO CLEANSE YOU OF THE EFFECT OF IT.  You will be forgiven.. and you will be cleansed.  You will no longer feel anger... jealousy..covetousness... around Susie Jones.  You will feel LOVE. From Him. And for her.

You Heavenly Father adores you JUST AS MUCH as you think HE adores Susie Jones.  Who put the thought in your head that He didn't?  Was it God? I doubt it.  He wants to make you WHOLE inside. He wants to make you clean. He wants you to LOVE Susie Jones... and how can you LOVE her if you are JEALOUS of her?

Susie Jones doesn't have a clue she is tormenting you.
She is just living her life. The life God has given her.
You just live yours.
And peace will soon reign.
I love you,
Mrs. Older

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