'...Jericho was tightly shut up...' Joshua 6:1

[PASTOR AUSTIN A ADEWUNMI]

The Bible says, '...Jericho was tightly shut up... No one went out and no one came in' (Joshua 6:1 NIV). Have you ever heard of the 'Jericho syndrome'? It's when you're on emotional lockdown. You're afraid to reach out or let anybody in. You've built a wall so you can't be hurt again. Look out, because that wall can imprison you, and everybody else in your life. You can get married in Jericho, say the vows, wear the dress, exchange the rings, go on honeymoon, and still have the walls up. So you might think, 'If he leaves, I'm ready. I've got a bank account I didn't tell him about. I have a back-up plan in case this doesn't work.' Jesus said, '...a man... is joined to his wife' (Matthew 19:5 NLT). But how can you be joined if you can't be reached because of a wall of bitterness, fear and distrust? 'Love is patient... it keeps no record of wrongs... Love never fails...' (1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NIV). Love doesn't work when you live by the philosophy 'Look for the best but expect the worst'. It's time for an exorcism! You've got to drive out the ghosts of yesterday if you're to have any hope of a real future together. Forgiving, when you've been deeply hurt, is one of the hardest things you'll ever do, but you must forgive, and keep on forgiving until resentment no longer controls you. '...Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall... I forgive him? Up to seven times?" Jesus said..."...not... up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven"' (Matthew 18:21-22 NKJV). Stop rehearsing your past and give it to the Lord. He's the wall-toppling, communication-restoring, esteem-building healer of broken hearts and relationships. If you let Him, He will help you to live and love again.