Tale of Three Cities

Gale Brown, Biblical Archaeology June, 2013. The Three Woes is a tale of three cities. There was a popular book written by Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities”. This is nothing like that! The title and much of the contents are taken from the article “Three Woes!” by Henry B. Smith Jr., MA, Associates of Biblical Research, August 15, 2007. This archaeological and comparative study of three thriving ancient villages has in common their relationship to Jesus Christ and their decisions for their own destiny. In these three “cities”, called the Evangelical Triangle, was where Jesus performed a major portion of His miracles. God in flesh was in their towns. The objective is to relate their stories to our own lives, our present day communities, our own cities, our own nation, and the nations of the world. The three cities are Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. Other things they have in common are: They all existed at the time of Christ on earth, they all are near the north end of the Sea of Galilee, they all had significant purpose and function, they probably were all proud of their greatness, and they all are ancient ruins today. Chorazin on the north side has never been excavated. A major highway runs between the north side and the south side. The south side has had significant excavation, but yet only a small percentage of its 80-100 acres. It sits 2.5 miles from the Sea. Chorazin was known for its grain. There were two synagogues, one a 1st century and another 4th century. The 1st would be in existence when Jesus was there. One item uncovered was the “Seat of Moses” carved from basalt block. The rulers would “sit in Moses seat”, read the Torah, judge the people, and demand strict obedience to the law, but did not obey it themselves. Jesus renounced their hypocrisy in Matthew 23:1-3 while teaching in the Jerusalem temple. Bethsaida dates back to around 10th century B.C. and back to the time of David. It was destroyed 732 B.C. (Tiglath-Pileser). It was once rebuilt since it appears much in the New Testament. It is known as the home of Peter, Andrew, and Philip (John 1:44; 12:19). According to Josephus, Bethsaida was involved in the revolt against Rome, 67 A.D. (Smith) It was considered a fishing village, though its location is 1-1/2 miles from the Sea of Galilee. This is generally thought to be because of sediment movement, volcanic or tectonic activity. There are two proposed sites, one closer to the shores; but its exact location is disputed, having faded into history. Both proposed locations have significant reasons and evidence for their claim. (1. Bethsaida Excavation Project; 2.Nun, Mendul) Capernaum’s location is basically undisputed, its archaeological ruins and literary information provide its validation. Traditionally, the name came from it being the birthplace of Nahum the prophet. Peter owned a home in Capernaum. (Mk.1:29-31; Mt.8:14-15) It was Jesus’ home in Galilee (Matt. 4:13-14), though He did not own any property as the Son of Man (Matt.8:20). The central focus of Capernaum was its synagogue. It was built in 1st century A.D. of basalt block. After this structure was destroyed, another synagogue of limestone was built on top of its ruins around 4th century A.D. The 1st century synagogue was in use when Jesus was on the earth, where He cast out a demon (Mark 1:21-28) and spoke the parable of the Bread of Life (John 6:25-59). In Capernaum, He cast out demons, healed the sick, and fulfilled at least two prophecies there concerning Himself (Matt. 8:5-17), and raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Luke 8:40-56). However, the religious leaders refused to believe Jesus was the Messiah, and refused to repent of their sin and idolatry. Jesus denounced these three cities for their lack of faith and refusal to receive Him: “Then Jesus began to rebuke the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent: Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you Bethsaida! For if the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I say to you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the Day of Judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades; for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say to you it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the Day of Judgment than for you.” Matthew 11:21-24 The New Testament tells us that Jesus performed many of his miracles in the "evangelical triangle. In Mark 2:1-12, a paralytic was let done through the roof by four of his friends so they could get him in front of Jesus, the room being so crowded. When Jesus “saw their faith”, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you.” The religious rulers, who were always trying to trip Him up, said “This is blasphemy! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” Jesus said, “which is easier, to say ‘your sins are forgiven you’, or to say, rise, take up your bed, and walk?’ But that you may know the Son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins, He said to the paralytic, ‘Rise, take up your bed, and walk.” The man was healed, and forgiven, but the rulers hated Him still. They failed to see it was God Himself standing before them in the person of Jesus Christ. (Jn. 8:58) Jesus fulfilled prophecy, spoke prophetically, revealed the secrets of people’s hearts, worked miracles, healings, and even raised the dead. Then died and rose from the dead, according to the Scripture, to pay the penalty of the sins of the whole world. Although Scripture was filled with the knowledge of Christ and His coming, they would not believe. Today, there are people, cities, state governments, and leaders of the United States rejecting Jesus Christ. It is to the point where you can say or do most anything, except say that you believe Jesus is the only Way to God, the only means of forgiveness, and the only Way to heaven and eternal life with God the Father. If you do, persecution will usually follow. However, persecution is to be expected as a follower of Christ, and it appears that it will only get worse. Regardless, it is a sad thing to watch your home and country fall, the way so many have cities, nations, and empires have fallen before. In our land we have groups and movements that demand their freedom from the Words of Scripture. We stand on the brink of destruction from a multitude of enemies; other countries are buying up our own land, there is threat of nuclear war, and we have surrendered to a host of voices except to the only One who can halt our demise. Note that Jesus said it would be worse for these cities, which once had great synagogues, who said they believed in God, who said they believed the Scripture, but then denied Him; than for the ones who were known to be just plain wicked. In this United States of America, we were built on the principles, standards, and faith in God and His Christ. Now there are enemies within who want to change history and deny this truth. Did we make some mistakes as a nation? Yes, we all know that. However, our mistakes then and now cannot be a reason to say we were not and are not a Nation under God. We need to seriously heed this lesson. God is not our enemy, He is our friend! “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) But in no way will He allow man to rule over Him! The thought is absurd! It is better to go to God every day and say, “God forgive us, help us!” than to try to justify our wrongs. We do not want our lives, our families, our Churches, our cities, our state and nation, to go the way of Chorazin, Basaida, and Capernaum. We don’t have to let it happen, and we cannot allow anti-Christ voices, groups, special interest movements, and other nation’s belief’s take over and control the USA. This is not a joke. We cannot stick our heads in the sand, and think “everything will be alright.” We don’t want our own to suffer untold miseries. We can turn to Jesus, and fight the fight of faith. That was what He was asking of those three cities, and that is all He is asking of us.

Casual Post

This is just a casual post to sort of refresh my blog site. My previous entries were mostly for school projects. I intend on adding blogs to this site in the future, and hopefully keep it a little more updated! I read an article a few hours ago that said atheism is increasing in America. I can understand people being confused with all the different voices clammering for attention, but to deny God is foolish. We are made in His image and likeness. There is an origin for the realities of love, peace, joy and hapiness, sorrow and pain. The Bible also explains the origins of hate, selfishness, tragedy, rebellion, lies and deception. His name is Satan. Jesus' love is for all the world to receive, if they will only believe. He gives eternal life to all who will. Why doesn't God just save everybody, whether they believe in Him and in Jesus as the Savior of the world sent by Him, or not? Simply because you'd have, not an eternal paradise of love, peace, and totally fulfilled knowledge, but a world that would just be the same as this! If God just brought this world over to the next, then there would be God-haters, unbelief, all the other evil that exists in this world. What would be the point? God gave free pardon, a promise to change our fallen nature into the Christ nature if we believe, because Jesus paid the penalty for our wrongs. God was in Christ, reconcilling the world unto Himself. 2 Corinthians 5:19

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Redeming the Time

Redeeming the Time Study guide

This section is to give an overview of one of my study books, Redeeming the Time Study Guide. The author is Rick Grubbs from Life Changing Seminars (lifechangingseminars.com), based in Salisbury, N.C.

The book opens with a short dialogue on time, what it means, and then allows someone else to give a clearer definition. That person is Benjamin Franklin. He has accomplished more in his lifetime than most any of us could even imagine! That's something you can look up on your own, but I'll give a few. First to invent/create/have idea for, did or accomplished: bifocals, lightning rod, Ambassador to France, discovered electrical properties, pos & neg, founded 1st Library, diplomat to London, Signed Declaration of Independence, Daylight Savings Time, the first militia, the first fire department, the Franklin Stove, school desk with one arm attached to chair, one of the founders of the University of Pennsylvania, started a Life Insurance Company, was a printer, a publisher, started Saturday Evening Post, started Poor Richards Almanac. HE SAID: “DO YOU LOVE LIFE? THEN DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME. BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT LIFE IS MADE OF.”

Redeeming the Time continues by giving the reader perspectives on what time wasters are, how to identify them. It goes into great depth on the eternal perspectives of time, whether we use it to the benefit of eternity, or lose it for eternal sorrow and tragedy. We will continue on, whether with God's receiving us as “well done, good and faithful servant,” or “depart from Me, I never knew you”. Now, here is a good place to say that our works are not taking us to heaven. Jesus Christ's sacrifice, and our faith in Him as a finished work of and for salvation, is our only means to eternal life. But that faith will result in good works in honor and thankfulness to Him.

Rick Grubbs lays out a time line of the average life expectancy, and we can place ourselves somewhere on that line. When can see how much we've used, and maybe how much we have left. It can be sobering to say the least. What are we going to do with the rest of our time? I'm speaking as one who feels I've wasted major amounts of time, major parts of my life, and it will shock you to take a serious look.
Time is not recoverable, says Grubbs on pp. 35. Once it is gone, it is gone. The clock keeps ticking, and doesn't stop for nothing or no one. There is no other asset so valuable as time.

Grubbs goes on to talk about ways of redeeming time. He told how several years ago, read a Proverb in the Bible about the slothful (lazy) man turning on his bed as a door turns on it's hinges” He said, “that's me, hitting the snooze button, rolling over, hitting it again, etc, etc. Grubbs took his clock apart, cut the wire to his snooze button, and that settled that! He may not still have that same clock, but he taught himself something valuable. Fifteen minutes saved each day will give you 92 hours of waking life each year! As I said, I'm in the process, with God's help, of applying these things.

Other discussions in this book: * Organization-have a planner and a plan *Getting rid of time wasters
*The activities you choose; what will be their profit in years to come, and much more important, in eternity? *Stopping procrastination

Life Changing Seminars with Rick Grubbs can be a source of help for nearly everyone. If you've read this far, then take another step and contact them!



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Part 2: This section is a continuation of the study on Redeeming the Time Study Guide.
The purpose here is to outline and briefly discuss three major areas that stood out to me personally in R.T.

First, the reality of how quickly time goes by. Obviously, since I'm older, I will see that more so now. However, I can remember thinking seriously about how time is continually moving in my 30's. I do want to make the best of the time I have left, and serve God in it. I must keep telling myself to use my time wisely. Yes, I have areas in my life that I know need re modification, moderation, or deletion. Then there are areas that need acceleration, amplification, and implementation. By God's grace and His working in my life, I will be able to make those changes, and live a more productive life, resulting in a happier life.

Second, trying to grasp the concept of eternity by the study of Ten Duotrigintillion. (Grubbs works with the largest number that on record (somewhere!) that is One with 100 zero's behind it. Ten Trillion is One with 13 zero's. The estimated electrons in the universe is 1 to the 85th power. Still, this doesn't touch eternity.
I know as a Christian I should be happy to think about spending eternity with Jesus Christ, but most of the time I'm thinking about all there is to do. I also realize that if I just “do what God wants me to do right now", (R. Grubbs) I will be happy. That's what I need to to keep working on.

Third, the challenge to get organized. With some people, this has been or is a strong discipline in their lives. I struggle with these things. Yes, I've been able to organize areas at different stages of my life, I know I can do it, but also at times I may allow things to go back into disorganization.

The good thing is, like you, reading material like this, and have taken this course of study! There are important things that I must remember and keep in focus, and prioritize, so that I may accomplish what God wants me to accomplish.



Part Three: In this section I will lay out a simple plan on how to implement these particular areas that need attention.

To be time conscious, I will begin to keep better track of where my time goes, even writing it down on a chart. In doing so, I'll have an actual record of where my time is effective as well as identifying my “time wasters”. Yes, I know in a general sense where my productive times are and where the time wasters are, but if I write my time down, I'll be less likely to excuse my time wasters and my procrastinational periods. I will continue to pursue reading and studying on Time Management information.

As for the matter of time in relation to eternity, my best resource for keeping this clear in my mind is Bible study. All of Scripture encourages us to be conscious of our time and what we do in relation to eternal perspectives, and standing before God to give account of our lives. This is the very sobering part, but if can get ourselves into the practice of, as Mr. Grubbs stated, asking “What does God want me to do right now?”, that will be a big help to us. That is worth repeating. Remember to ask, “What does God want me to do right now?”

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Thirdly, in planning how to implement my goals to better manage my time, it's going to take a lot more organization in my life. In seeking to accomplish more at this period of my life than I have in previous years, I'm finding that better organization will be one of my greatest assets, or I should say necessities. Things like filing items correctly THE FIRST TIME, so I don't have to handle the same material more than necessary, have better control over my email, which seems to get way out of hand for me! Mr. Grubbs spoke about learning to handle email once! Respond, file, or trash it, in simple language! Sometimes I can benefit from finding someone else, who is willing to do so, to help me with things that they may be better at than me. Or someone who simply has the time to do so.
Also, as I mentioned in another place, having a good planner will save time and keep me better organized. I have been using a simple weekly planner, but I realize it is becoming inefficient for my needs.
Simply, any means of saving valuable time that works well and doesn't affect something else in an extremely negative way are the things I need to be on the look out for. Time is what we trade our life for, to paraphrase B. Franklin.
Time is precious.

Oceans of Knowledge and Helps

The Following 5 web-sites offer an ocean of Educational Information, Regardless of Your Learning Stage. Samples are below. Enjoy!

1. Life Changing Seminars: Rick Grubbs Lifechangingseminars.com
This site offers free resources to aid the Christian in Biblical studies and Time Management
The sources are not all Christian, but are still good sources for organizational articles and material, articles on good study habits and time management.
One example is Daytimer.com. It consists of many links to additional sites such as: “Organizing For The Creative Person”, by D. Lamping & D. Lehmhuhl. Some others are: “15 Ways To Save Time”; “Controlling Paperwork...”; “Procrastination”; 10 Tips On Information Overload”.
This is a very good resource and information site, giving the visitor many options of interest. There is a radio link for information on the organizations radio program, a schedule for Time Management Seminars, and a Newsletter is available. There is also lots of help resources, a link for home schoolers, articles, and much more. I would like to come back to it.

2. Education Atlas: http://www.educationatlas.com

Make clear and accurate notes. If you don't, your notes may not help you remember what the teacher was saying.
Come to class prepared. Have assignment read and your notes reviewed from last class.
Other note taking points were: *Compare Notes, *Minimize Distractions, *Organize Your Notes, *Review Notes, *Write Clearly, *Write Down Questions.
This also a good site for information and educational resources. It offers links for Online Degrees; Early Childhood Ed.; Special Ed.; Careers; Higher Education.

3. Education Atlas: Listening In Class http://www.educationatlas.com
Hearing and listening are two different things. We must process what we are hearing.
Listen for meaning. Understand the intended purpose of what is being taught.
Other points are: *Adjust Your Note Taking Style to the Lecture, *Tackle Difficult to Understand Material (use your brain power to comprehend). *Concentrate/Focus On What's Important, *Choose to Be Interested.
This is the same site as #2, offering a wide range of educational information. Education Atlas is a keeper for those who are looking for good web-sites to use or recommend to others.

4. Study Guide and Strategies: A.S.P.I.R.E. http://www.studygs.net/aspire
A. Approach/Attitude/Arrange: A positive Approach and Attitude, Arrange undistracted schedule.
S. Select/Survey/Study: Select reasonable amount of study material, Survey components and questions, Study marking information not understood.
P. Put Aside/Piece Together: Put Aside books and notes, Piece Together what you've studied, alone or with others.
I. Inspect/Investigate/Inquire: Do all of these with your notes and information learned, especially what you don't understand, using resources of books, web-sites, students, teachers, tutors, etc.
R. Reconsider/Reflect/Relay: Reconsider content, what questions do you need to ask?, Reflect on materials: How can I apply this?, Relay understanding: How could I make this information interesting to others?
E. Evaluate/Examine/Explore: Evaluate grades and look for patterns, Examine your process toward improvement, Explore options with teacher of support professional
.This site is quite amazing once you look it over! The index lists a huge variety of topics, with several links under each, such as: T.M., Meeting Challenges, Learning, Studying, Classroom Participation, Thinking, Project Management, Wring Basics, Writing Types, Math, Science, and the list goes on. Side tabs offer 35 languages to click on. The information about the author/owner Joe Landsberger is very interesting. It's worth the time to look at his experience and credentials on his personal info page.



5. About.com 10 Great Study Habits http://homeworktips.about.com
1.Write Down Every Assignment
2.Remember to Bring Your Homework to School
3.Communicate With Your Teacher
4.Organize With Color
5.Establish a Study Zone at Home
6.Prepare Yourself for Test Days
7.Know Your Dominate Learning Style
8.Take Fabulous Notes
9.Conquer procrastination
10.Take Care of Yourself

These are discussed in some detail on the About.com site. This is another web-site that has much to offer about most anything, but for our educational purposes it is a tremendously informative resource.

Report and Comments on Tyranny of the Urgent

The following is an overview of and some thoughts on a very important little booklet. Slightly larger than 3x5 with 31 pages, you would be hard-pressed to find anything to compare to its punch, its vital information, and more importantly, the tools for us to straighten our mixed up priorities, and to give time and attention to the truly important in our lives. The name of this book is: “THE TYRANNY OF THE URGENT” by Charles E. Hummel. I will make reference to the book as T.U.

Hummel begins by asking “Have you ever wished for a thirty hour day?” He goes on to talk about how our lives are filled with unfinished tasks, forsaken goals, forgotten dreams, and have just settled in to a life that just seemed to happen as we endeavored to just make a life for ourselves and/or our families, do the things that just seem to be the norm, loosing site of any eternal goal that may have been God's plan for us. It's a sobering thought to think that we can live our lives without even, in some cases, knowing what is or was our real purpose, much less fulfilling it. T.U. is a call to everyone who wants to find and do that ultimately important purpose of being here on earth.

Hummel views the life of Jesus Christ as one who focused on the important and not the urgent. He gives many examples of how Jesus didn't let the urgent detour Him from doing the will of His Heavenly Father. As Jesus stated “I always do what pleases him” John 8:28-29 T.U.pp.7 When He was pressed to respond to the urgent, He didn't conform to the the pressure, but waited on the Father's direction. Mary and Martha sent word to Him that Lazarus was sick, he stayed two more days where He was continuing to minister there. Then he went to see Lazarus, who had already died. No one else understood why He didn't come earlier. but then He then spoke one of the most well known verses in the Bible: “ I Am the Resurrection and the Life. He who believes in Me,though he may die, he shall live. He who lives and believes in Me shall never die...” John 11:25-26; T.U. pp. 11 Then He raised Lazarus from the dead, showing He had power over death as the Son of God.

T.U. Speaks about how depending on God will make you free. Just as in Jesus' life, we can learn what is important to God, and be free from the tyranny of the urgent.

On pp.14, Hummel begins to compare spending money to spending time. We can spend both on the impulsive purchases. Then when we need the time for the important, just as it would be with money, it's gone. It's not there, and we cannot get it back.

It can look very bleak. But we cannot view it as all is lost. God doesn't want us to sink into despair as we view the lost time, opportunities, dreams, and goals. He wants us to restart now, begin to reclaim our time. Hummel says on pp.17 to “Decide What Is Important”. You must decide what project or goal is most important, and then make choices that will lead you in the direction of accomplishing that.

In T.,U., Hummel challenges us to “Discover Where Our Time Goes”. We should chart our days, write down where and how we are actually spending our time, and then begin to “Budget the Hours”. pp.19-24

“Follow Through” is part of the planning. When laying out new goals, the method of follow-through must be included in the plans. pp.24-26

“Evaluate” pp.27 means to examine your plan and your success as you go. “Continuing the Effort” by spending time with God. Our greatest desire and hope is to be able to stand before Him and hear Him say , “Well done, good and faithful servant”. Matt. 25:21; T.U. pp.29-30

If we keep in mind the main concepts and how they relate to each other, it will help us to succeed in completing the important.

1. As with any goal or change, we must first recognize the need. We must be able to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge our need. We see that we don't need more time in the day, we need to use correctly the time we have. pp.3-4
2. That leads use to examine our priorities. What have we been putting first?
3. In order to KNOW what our priorities should be, we need instruction. Jesus is our example, He waited for the Father's direction. God will tell us what is to be first. T.U. pp. 9
4. This in turn will lead us to “Dependence on God”. pp.12 Freedom in hearing what is the exact right move that only God can know. (we may make mistakes, but moving forward is the goal)
5. Feeling dependence on God will make us sensitive to how we “Spend Time..” pp.14-17
6. Being time sensitive,we must “Decide What's important”. pp.17-19
7. Discover Where Your time Goes pp.19-22 so you can decide the changes that are needed to:
8. Begin to “Budget The Hours”, pp.22-24 making time for the important first.
9. Budgeting our time also requires a “Follow Through Plan” pp.24-26. We must watch out for the things that would take us off course. Also, we must remember to not be “discouraged over failure”. p.26 You are working a process
10. “Evaluate” pp.27-28 your progress, record what God is teaching you, your future plans. This is part of your follow-up.
11. You must “Continue The Effort” pp. 29-30 in placing the important before the urgent, re-examining your priorities, looking to Jesus' example, watching over your time and keeping track of where it goes, maintaining your follow through plan, and continue to evaluate your progress, what you've learned, and where you are going.

Personal Application key: While looking to select one main key that would most apply to me and my life in TYRANNY OF THE URGENT, I would have to say organizing my priorities. As I work on this principle, (for if I'm honest with myself, I mostly know what should be priority) then a lot of non-priority things will just fall away. I will wind up not having time for the impulsive, the “urgent” that is not truly something that “I must do now”! This of course does not deny the fact that things come up that MUST have our attention. But if I live by the principle of focusing and planning according to what is important in my life, as viewed and revealed by Jesus' Word and life, then the urgent will not dominate my time, but will be evaluated correctly as to the truth of it's urgency.

In this organizing my priorities, I have to admit that the need to first organize my prayer life is at the top of the list. So, here I am, wanting to organize priorities, but I need something more than just my own abilities and intellect. I need to know the will of the One who can see it all, and can reveal to me what the true number 1,2,3, etc important things are. That calls for prayer, getting closer to God, learning to better hear His voice as He speaks to my heart by His Word. So PRAYER needs to be at the top of the list for me in organizing my priorities.

Keeping in mind the subject that Hummel is presenting in Tyranny of the Urgent, the process he lays out takes me to the goal of accomplishing that which is important in my life.

Sometimes we can be caught up in working through a process that we forget what the goal originally was! The goal is “Doing That Which is Important”. That's what Jesus said. I need to remember that His priority was doing the will of the Father. The process of preparing myself, of gaining understanding, praying for direction, not being dominated by the urgent, etc, is all to be able to accomplish that which is important.

Facing Forward

Since this is my first blog, I'll start with the blog site name, "Facing Forward".
Recently I've been learning to a greater degree about forgiveness.  Life itself greatly revolves around the truth of being forgiven and forgiving. 
God forgave all of us in Jesus Christ.  It is wonderful to know that God is not holding anything against you.  All judgment was applied to Jesus on the cross,  His death and ressurrection being God's acceptance of His sacrifice.  "..God was in Christ, reconcilling the world to Himself.." 2 Corinthians 5:19. That is Wonderful!
Where we get into trouble after that is being unforgiving to others.  In Matthew 18:23-35 Jesus told the story of a man who was forgiven a great debt by his master, but then went out and had someone thrown in debtors prison for owing him a few dollars.  When the master heard the story, he was angry.  He said,  "I forgave you that great debt, shouldn't you have forgiven as well!"  The Word says he then turned him over to the tormentors (in prison) until he paid back all.  Well, he could never have paid back all, not even in the beginning!
And so, unless we forgive because we have been forgiven, we are turned over to the tormentors.  (1) Tormentors of guilt, never really knowing inside that we are quite good enough, hiding our insecurities by pushing ourselves to do great things, but never feeling it's enough, running from God.  If we truly receive forgiveness, there is no debt for us to pay!  And when we continually forgive others, we continually live in the forgiveness of God in Jesus Christ.  That is facing forward, looking toward eternity with a smile!  Is it always easy?  Of course not.  But it is the only way to know that kind of joy, that kind of peace and love, which is freely given to all who will believe, receive and follow. 
Matthew 8:17 "He Himself took our infirmities.."
God's best to you!

(1) paraphrase in part from, Healing for Damaged Emotions, David A. Seamands (Chariot Victor Pub., 1991)