When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him,  Luke 24:30-31B NIV

Forgiveness:

the process of concluding resentment, dismissing indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, to release a difference or mistake, and/or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. 

Why Should I Forgive?

When We Don’t Forgive We Forfeit Our Own Forgiveness

And when you stand and pray, forgive anything you may have against anyone, so that your Father in heaven will forgive the wrongs you have done.”  Mark 11:25

For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others

[nurturing your hurt and anger with the result that it interferes with your
relationship with God]

, then your Father will not forgive your trespasses.  Matthew 6:14-15 AMP

When We Don’t Forgive We Open Ourselves Up To The Devil

Do not bear a grudge against others, but settle your differences with them, so that you will not commit a sin because of them. Do not take revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love yourself. I am the Lord.  Leviticus 19:17

When We Don’t Forgive It Jeopardizes Our Gift Being Received

So, if you are about to offer your gift to God at the altar and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar, go at once and make peace with your brother, and then come back and offer your gift to God.  Matthew 5:23-24

When We Don’t Forgive We Imprison Ourselves

32 So he called the servant in. ‘You worthless slave!’ he said. ‘I forgave you the whole amount you owed me, just because you asked me to. 33 You should have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you.’ 34 The king was very angry, and he sent the servant to jail to be punished until he should pay back the whole amount.” 35 And Jesus concluded, “That is how my Father in heaven will treat every one of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.” Matthew 18:32-35

1. Stop Concealing The Hurt

5 Then I let it all out; I said, “I’ll make a clean breast of my failures to God.” Suddenly the pressure was gone.  Psalm 32:5A Message

Don’t let anyone become bitter and cause trouble for the rest of you.  Hebrews 12:15B CEV

2. Get Revenge Off Your Mind

17 Don’t hit back. 19 Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”  Romans 12:17A; 19 MSG

Dear friends, don’t try to get even. Let God take revenge. In the Scriptures the Lord says, “I am the one to take revenge and pay them back.” Romans 12:19 CEV

3. Don’t Lose The Person Focusing On The Offense

6-7 He said, “Don’t be afraid. I know you’re looking for Jesus the Nazarene, the One they nailed on the cross. He’s been raised up; he’s here no longer. You can see for yourselves that the place is empty. Now—on your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You’ll see him there, exactly as he said.”  Mark 16:5-7 NIV

“Do you love me?” So Peter said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my sheep. John 21:17 GWT

21 At that point Peter got up the nerve to ask, “Master, how many times do I forgive a brother or sister who hurts me? Seven?” 22 Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.  Matthew 18: 21-22

4. Remember What Jesus Has Done For You

23-25 “The kingdom of God is like a king who decided to square accounts with his servants. As he got under way, one servant was brought before him who had run up a debt of a hundred thousand dollars. He couldn’t pay up, so the king ordered the man, along with his wife, children, and goods, to be auctioned off at the slave market. 26-27 “The poor wretch threw himself at the king’s feet and begged, ‘Give me a chance and I’ll pay it all back.’ Touched by his plea, the king let him off, erasing the debt. Matthew 18:23-27 GNT

13 When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins. Colossians 2:13

5. Move Forward

12 I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above.  Philippians 4:12-14