Forgive- Webster’s New World Dictionary defines forgive as:
(1.) to give up resentment, or the desire to punish, to pardon.
(2.) to overlook an offense,
(3.) to cancel a debt.
I once heard that, when we forgive someone for something, we do it in order to help ourselves get over or through a hurtful condition.
When we ask Jesus into our hearts, we ask Him to forgive us for our sins. In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask: “Forgive us our trespassed (transgressions) as we forgive those who trespass (transgress) against us.”
Also, I read where a person can forgive and it be on three different relational levels. I am sorry, I don’t remember the source.
1.) Forgive and forget, letting the relationship continue as nothing has happened.
2.) Forgive but be wary of a recurrence of the transgression. This may keep the relationship cordial but not like it was before.
3.) Forgive but sever ties with the other person. Sometimes we have to do this in order to go on with our lives.
When the hurt is serious, we can approach God and ask Him to forgive that other person for us. I personally know He does this when we ask Him.