Mrs. Wesley was consumed by jealousy toward her husband. His work placed him in the role of friend and advisor to many women. Among his assistants and in the institutions he founded, women were employed—and to his insanely jealous wife, each one was a source of deadly suspicion.
Wesley, for his part, was tolerant in a broad-minded, masculine way, accepting relationships and circumstances that other women—even the best—might not forgive. Take, for example, Sally Ryan, the housekeeper at one of his orphanages. Though only thirty-three at the time, she had three living husbands from whom she was separated. Wesley corresponded with her constantly, which inflamed his wife’s fury.
In her jealousy, Mrs. Wesley went to extreme lengths. She stole his letters to confirm her suspicions, traveled over a hundred miles to track his companions during preaching tours, and alternated between fits of violent rage and acts of astonishing treachery. She not only intercepted his letters but also tampered with them to create false impressions, even handing them to his enemies for publication.
Let this serve as a warning: jealousy can darken the light of God within your heart, making you see evil in everyone and goodness in nothing.