"Why forgive those who hurt you?"

I know someone who was hurt deeply by an abusive church experience. I shared with them the message of forgiveness found in Matthew 18. But I wonder if you have any other thoughts on forgiving people who have hurt you? A lady at my church keeps telling me that the Holy Spirit has new messages for me. She is scaring me, but at the same time, I wonder if I'm missing out on hearing from God! How do I keep my young children interested in Jesus?