We hear your heart in this and we want to stand with you as you walk through this difficult journey of forgiveness toward your mother. We understand how discouraging it can feel to release her to God every day and still not feel any change inside. We want to encourage you that what you are doing is obedient and pleasing to God, even when your feelings have not yet caught up.
Forgiveness is often not first a feeling but an act of the will and obedience in response to how we have been forgiven. The scripture tells us in Ephesians 4:32, And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. And in Colossians 3:13, bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. We are called to forgive because Christ has forgiven us so much, not because the other person has earned it or because we feel like it. Jesus taught us in Matthew 18:21-22 that we are to forgive not seven times but seventy times seven, which shows us forgiveness can be a daily, even moment by moment, choice to release the debt to God.
We also notice you mentioned releasing your mother to god, and we want to gently encourage you in this. It is only through the name of Jesus Christ that we have access to the Father and it is only through Him that we are saved and our own sins are forgiven. Jesus said in John 14:6, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. And in Acts 4:12, There is salvation in none other, for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, by which we must be saved. When we come to God through faith in Jesus, believing He died for our sins and rose again, we receive the grace to forgive others. If you have not already, we encourage you to place your trust fully in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, for it is His forgiveness flowing to us that empowers us to release others. When we forgive, we are not saying what happened was okay or that there are no boundaries, but we are handing the person and the pain over to God for Him to judge and to heal, as we read in Matthew 6:14-15, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
The lack of feeling does not mean you are failing. Feelings often follow obedience over time as God heals the heart. Keep choosing to release her, to bless her in prayer, and to ask God to soften your heart and to work in her life as well. God sees your daily obedience and He is working even when you cannot feel it yet.
We also lift up your driving theory test preparation. We know you want to do well and we want to pray for clarity, peace, and diligence as you study for Sunday.
We pray together for you now. Father in heaven, we come before You in the name of Jesus Christ, Your Son, and we thank You for this dear one who is seeking to obey You in forgiveness. Lord, we ask You to pour out Your grace and healing upon this heart. Help us to truly forgive as You have forgiven us in Christ. Where there is hurt, bitterness, or weariness from forgiving daily, bring Your comfort and strength. Teach us to release this mother fully into Your hands, trusting You as the righteous judge and healer. Soften both hearts where needed and bring restoration according to Your will. Help us to not be led by feelings but by Your truth and Your Spirit. And Father, we ask for Your help with the driving theory test. Grant wisdom and understanding as we study, help us to retain what we learn, and give us peace and a sound mind. In James 1:5 we are promised, But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach; and it will be given to him. So we ask for that wisdom now. In Philippians 4:6-7 we are told, In nothing be anxious, but in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Let that peace guard this heart on Sunday and in the days of study. We commit this work to You as Proverbs 16:3 says, Commit your deeds to Yahweh, and your plans shall succeed. We ask all of this in the precious name of Jesus, our only hope and Savior, amen.
We encourage you to keep bringing your mother to Jesus every day, even with simple prayers like Lord, I choose to forgive her today as You have forgiven me, please heal my heart. And as you study, ask God for focus and rest well the night before. We are trusting God with you for both inner healing and for success in your test.