The person who hurt you the most… finally says, “I’m sorry.”
Not defensively. Not to clear their conscience. But truly genuinely sorry. They admit to the lies. The slander. The gossip. The abuse. All of it. They don’t deny it. They don’t gaslight you with “I didn’t do that.” Instead, they look you in the eye and say, “I was wrong. I hurt you. I shouldn’t have done that.”
How would that make you feel? To be acknowledged. To be believed. To be validated in your pain. To finally hear the words that your heart waited so long for. Would it break you? Heal you ?Free you? Or maybe… a bit of all three. I guess that’s what so many of us are waiting for, to finally begin healing. To get the closure we never received. To close that chapter. To feel like we can start living again. We’re waiting for someone to say, “I’m sorry.” Waiting for someone to own what they did, to acknowledge the pain they caused, so we can finally exhale and let go.
And in some ways, we’re not wrong for wanting that. Because when there’s no apology, the wound doesn’t fully close. It lingers. It stings. It stays open in quiet, subtle ways. And I always tell people, no one gets to decide whether they hurt someone or not. The person who was hurt gets to name that pain. Because at the end of the day, we can’t fully know how someone else feels. We’re not in their body. We only know our own.
So maybe that’s what we’re all really waiting for: an apology. A real one. But here’s the hard part how long have you been waiting? Some people have waited ten years. Some have waited their whole lives. Some never got it, not even on a deathbed. Especially in some of our homes, where “I’m sorry” is treated like weakness or something unfamiliar. In many African households, apologies can feel like foreign language.
And so, some people will wait forever. And they’ll never hear those words. So the question becomes: what do you want to do with that reality? The 50/50 chance. The gray area. Do you wait? Do you confront? Do you release it for your own peace, even if they never say sorry? This is where healing becomes a choice. Not easy. Not clean. But yours to make.
I want you to ask yourself something real today: Would you still choose to forgive if the apology never came? Yesterday, we spoke about forgiving ourselves. We reflected on what it means to look in the mirror and say, “I’m sorry Vanessa, for the things I put you through.” And that’s hard but in many ways, it’s easier than what we’re about to face today.
What about when the pain comes from someone else? What happens when the person who hurt you never says, “I’m sorry”? Are you willing to wait? And how long are you willing to wait?For some, the apology might still come. Maybe in two more years. Two months. Two days. Even in two hours your phone could ring, a message could appear, and they finally say the words you’ve longed to hear. But for others… the apology may never come.
And if that’s you, then the question becomes not if they’ll say sorry, but what will you do if they don’t?. This is where the Word reminds us: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23) Guarding your heart isn’t about building walls.
It’s about making room for God to heal what others damaged.
It’s about choosing not to let bitterness take root and rule your life. It’s about deciding through God’s strength to forgive even when it wasn’t asked for. Let me be clear , I am not downplaying the pain. I am not dismissing the weight of what you’ve been through. I know it made you cry. I know it made you question your worth. I know it was heavy and unfair and you didn’t deserve it. But I also have to ask will you stay on this mountain forever?
Because the Bible says, “You have stayed long enough at this mountain.” (Deuteronomy 1:6)
How long have you been feeling that way? And how has it helped you? Maybe today isn’t about getting an apology. Maybe today is about letting God do what that person never could, heal you, validate you, restore you. We will look at steps to forgiveness as we build on this topic but please,
I know these words aren’t easy to say. For many of us, simply reaching the point where we can say “I forgive you” is a struggle. And the reason is understandable the weight of what we’ve endured because of others can feel unbearable. Our experiences are not the same, our responses differ, and our hearts process pain in unique ways. But if there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s this: forgiveness is not easy but it’s also not optional.
Someone is angry and bitter because they were raped. A man is broken because his wife betrayed him. A woman carries deep resentment because her husband abused her. Children cannot bring themselves to forgive their parents and parents, in turn, struggle to forgive their children.
Unforgiveness has crept into the workplace colleagues turned against each other. Among siblings, grudges grow silently over the years. In friendships, it disguises itself hidden behind smiles and small talk, but waiting patiently for a day of expression . Even among brethren in the church , who pray the Lord’s Prayer, asking, “Forgive us as we forgive those who trespass against us,” there remains a list at least five names they’ve never truly released in that very department. And perhaps the heaviest of all is the unforgiveness we carry against ourselves.
Sometimes, we do receive apologies. People kneel, they cry, and they express deep sorrow for what they’ve done. And yet, some say the apology isn’t sincere. Others respond with anger, turning the moment into another argument, another war. It makes me wonder why Jesus emphasised the number of times we are to forgive. Perhaps He knew that in this life, offences would come not just once, but over and over again. And maybe that’s exactly why forgiveness, too, must come over and over again.
Today, I want to ask you, have you forgiven yourself?
Have you forgiven yourself for misjudging that guy, for pouring your heart and resources into someone who made you feel like a fool? What about that sin that still lingers in your mind, always before you?
Have you forgiven yourself for the moment you dropped your guard for a few minutes of pleasure that came at the cost of your consecration? Have you forgiven yourself for the things you didn’t do, the words you should have spoken, the decisions you delayed, the red flags and exit doors you ignored?
Forgive yourself for not walking away sooner. For taking a path that ended in pain, even in trauma like rape. For staying silent when you needed to speak. For the years that feel wasted. You need to forgive yourself. And you need to do it now. Not tomorrow. Not someday. Now.For some, forgiving others feels impossible because you’ve never started with yourself.
You’re still beating yourself up over a past that Jesus already washed clean with His blood. You can’t forgive yourself for not hugging your parent more before they passed. Maybe you told a lie. Maybe it’s the baby daddy. Maybe you made a decision that changed your life for the worse. But the question is: until when?
How long will you carry that burden?How long will your shoulders bear what grace already came to lift? It’s time to give rest to those tired shoulders. Look in the mirror. Call yourself by name. And say:
“[Your Name], I forgive you. I forgive you for everything. I forgive you seventy times seven times. I forgive you because God has already forgiven you. I forgive you because you deserve to spread your wings and fly. I forgive you because you can only soar high when you’re carrying light.”
And I hope it’s not just words. I hope you finally allow yourself to come out of that cage. ❤️
How are you really doing? How has your week been?How’s your heart, your body, your mind? What’s been weighing on your thoughts lately? Whatever it is, why not place it in God’s hands today? He cares for you more than you know.
This morning, while reflecting on my life, I said to God, “Lord, I’m content… but I’m not satisfied.” Then I paused and thought, Wait, what did I just say? Lol.
I am content I rarely complain. I’m not a murmurer. I don’t naturally lean toward the negative. I’m intentional about guarding my faith and peace by not fixating on things that cause me to stagger in unbelief. It’s giving Abraham, you know? Fully persuaded. Lol. But I also like to reflect deeply. So I evaluated my life, my career, my gifts, my skills, the effort and energy I put into what I do. And still, the thought echoed back: Content, but not satisfied. Grateful, yet certain there’s more.
There’s more to reach for. More to become. So… where is the “more” button? Make l prezz it immediately, please! I’m not gonna throw any tantrum, I just want instructions to get to my more season. Practical steps too , you know.
“If you work hard at what you do, great abundance will come to you. But merely talking about getting rich while living to only pursue your pleasures brings you face-to-face with poverty.” Proverbs 14:23 TPT
If you’re anything like me, then you know that stepping into your “more” starts with intentional decisions. I’m about to share a post with you, and I truly hope you’ll show up for this event not for me, but for you. Help yourself… unless you’re completely content with where you are. Sometimes the difference between where you are and where you’re called to be is just knowledge. One word. One insight. One moment of clarity.
Show up. Learn. Invest in yourself. Who knows, your “more” might just be waiting in this very meeting.
Sibusisiwe Makhubu is a dynamic communicator, cultural ambassador, and visionary leader with a background in Journalism and Media Studies. As a certified training facilitator and advocate for women’s empowerment, she blends media, education, and purpose driven leadership to create meaningful impact. She has represented South Africa on global platforms, including the Asia World Model United Nations (Indonesia), a U.S. Cultural Exchange Program, and the UN Best Diplomats Program (Dubai). Her work champions cultural diplomacy, public speaking, and entrepreneurial leadership.
Sibusisiwe is also a makeup business owner and founder of a women’s empowerment organisation that helps women embrace authenticity and turn their God-given talents into tools for impact and self-sufficiency. A gifted musician, she has performed locally and internationally including in The Lion King with artistic expression that is bold, uplifting, and rooted in truth.
Above all, she is a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, faithfully serving in ministry both locally and abroad, with a life shaped by grace, courage, and unshakable faith.
• You’re stuck on a mountain & can only carry 3 things, what would they be? 💜 A backpack with all my essentials (lipgloss, wet wipes, sunshades, water bottle WITH WATER). , My phone, My power bank.. I’m probably never going to get stuck on a mountain, I have no business being there 😂 unless it’s the mountain of the Lord 😝
• Are you an introvert or extrovert? 💜 Most times an extrovert, sometimes an introvert. It depends on the place and atmosphere.
• Would you rather do a marathon or skii? 💜 Definitely run a marathon. Imagine getting injured on ice; it’s cold and your body hurts, two pains in one? I cannot.
• Which woman in the Bible do you most identify with, and why? 💜 I identify the most with Mary (The mother of Jesus). She must have been a really special girl for God to consider her as a candidate to incubate and birth Redemption. I resonate with her. She’s a girl God saw fit to do the unlikely, the girl who was misunderstood, yet possessed adequate strength to endure persecution and judgement. The girl who was tenacious and resilient. I love Mary. She believed God, and the things He said to her happened (Luke 1:45). I know what that looks like, I’ve experienced it. Additionally, Mary had good understanding and a big heart. She understood that what she was birthing was not for her, but for the world. I know how that feels like – navigating being blessed by God, not for yourself, but for the benefit of others. Mary faced the difficult challenge of detaching herself from what only God could give her – she could’ve chosen to brag about the wonder performed through her, she could’ve esteemed herself high above others, but she was a woman clothed with humility and a quiet spirit, a woman willing to yield to God, even at the expense of “her” integrity no matter what. Her journey encapsulates a true definition of a woman who is a POWERHOUSE.
• List 3 gospel musicians that you totally love!! 💜 Minister Dunsin Oyekan, Pastor Lawrence Oyor and Ntokozo Mambo (the list is more than 3 but I will pick these 3 to answer the question)
• If you could have coffee with any woman, who would it be and why? 💜 Apostle Isi Igenegba. I absolutely adore that woman and I love her mind. She is so brilliant and every time I listen to her, I receive new insights. I believe I draw so much from her well of wisdom that I could use in various facets of my life.
• Tell us a bit about your background and how you began ministry? 💜 My gifts /talents ushered me into ministry. I was a very hyper kid, and in school I did almost EVERYTHING (singing, dancing, drama, public speaking and sports). I even played the violin at some point. I auditioned to participate in a TV program at church and you guessed it, I was shortlisted. I was in the 6th grade when I became a TV presenter for a kiddies show at my then local church’s TV station – LoveWorldSat. By the time I was in 8th grade, my family moved to another church, where I began serving in the worship team, I didn’t consider myself a good singer then, but my mom was the one that told the pastor I could sing, and she immediately put in the worship team lol. That was the beginning of a journey of growth in Christ and self discovery. I did not only sing in the church but the pastor would have me share the word, do opening prayers, take offering, and I would read the word for her during her teachings. That forced me to study the word, and I become more curious to know God for myself. I would ask God things like: “God please show me angels” or say stuff like “ God, show me something only You can show me” – I would see things before they happen or perceive things about people and pray about them. God always came through, obviously according to my level of understanding and capacity then. By the time I was wrapping up high school, I was singing at crusades run by the woman of God – some of them were 14 days long. I would go to school then, afterschool, head straight to the location to lead worship. Those required capacity and power; she would have us praying and fasting all the time, that’s how discipline was developed. It was a lot, but every moment so fulfilling. Ultimately, I grew to really, really love with God and I knew I wanted to live for Him and continue to serve with the gifts He gave me. That’s how I became “Jesus’ errand girl” as I say.
• Who are the spiritual mentors or voices that have influenced you most? 💜 It is mostly the men and women of God I have served under for a long period, who raised me and influenced me the most. And of course, the wonderful men of God that I’ve had the opportunity to be mentored and taught by; Apostle Doreen Hlongwane, Pastor Anthony Ejikeme, Pastor Jerry Eze, Apostle Felix Okoh (not sure if you wanted names😩🤭)
• As a young woman in ministry, what challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them? 💜 One of the challenges I would say I’ve faced is navigating being in the forefront, being a role model for some people versus just simply being me. Ministry requires a certain level of maturity, and it took a while for me to get to grips with that – at some point in my life, I wanted to enjoy my personality and express my vibrant disposition, and do things that people my age were doing. However, over the years I’ve gotten to understand that a journey with God is not about fulfilling personal pleasures, but is about fulfilling his will (which, will most likely require you to not conform to the standard of this world). And to overcome the temptation of trying to live like everyone else, I’ve had to firstly understand who I am in Christ, associate with a tribe that is like-minded and resist the urge to please people.
• What are some disciplines or habits that help you stay spiritually strong? 💜 Word study, prayer, fasting and fellowship are non negotiable. In order to stay spiritually strong I treat these like breathing (if I don’t breathe, I’ll die). My spiritual body needs them to stay alive and strong. Coupled with that, I maintain the consecrations the Lord has set in place for me. It’s not always easy or convenient, but I have to do it as it sustain my virtues.
• What message do you hope Christian’s should hear right now? 💜 “New Wine Skin” by Apostle Joshua Selman and the whole of Excel Conference 2025.
• How do you stay spiritually grounded while navigating the demands of ministry and building your dreams? 💜 The demands of ministry and the building of my dreams, stem from my spiritual groundedness. Without my relationship with God, I wouldn’t have all these dreams and visions. Without my relationship with God, they would probably be no opportunity for ministerial works. Whenever I sense that I am holding the work in high regard, I remind myself that “one thing is needful” (Luke 10:42). That’s how I remain grounded, I remember that I am nothing without Jesus and therefore I need Him, every single moment.
• At what moment did you feel called to launch Sinothando Global Impact, and what inspired its birth? 💜 Sinothando Global Impact was birthed in 2019, then it had a different name. It was birthed as a result of, I would say, concern and compassion. Social issues such as gender based violence and unemployment in South Africa stressed me out and I wanted to find a way to be an agent of change in my sphere of influence. Seeing and hearing stories of young women losing their lives, provoked in me a desire to teach them about self worth and the importance of building so much value as to lead a life of independence and self-sufficiency. That lead to me starting a website – where I would post encouraging words for young women weekly and within a year, it had about 25 000 views worldwide. I also began a podcast (which will be back soon) where I spoke about the importance of being well-rounded (having a relationship with God, educated, hard-working, generating your own money, etc) as a a young woman.
• How do you see God using this movement in the next few years? 💜 I know that many lives will be positively impacted because I have seen it before. One thing God has taught me is that nothing fails when I partner with Him. I believe Sinothando Global Impact will be a clear expression of its name – Indeed, this organization will make impact globally. I envision building a global network of women who pour into each other and support each other’s various initiatives. I envision building schools, orphanages, community centers, running companies that provide high quality services and products. God will surely use this movement to not only exalt Himself, but prove to His daughters and the rest of the world that He is intentional about their success and advancement – and I am more than happy to be His hands and feet.
• What projects are you currently doing or planning to do? 💜 Sinothando Global Impact is currently working on an educational program to develop the skills in women so they achieve self sufficiency. We are also hosting our very first seminar this month – with 3 dynamic speakers who are change agents in their communities.
You are invited to this free event hosted by Ms Sibusisiwe. All the details are on the poster however, should you have any questions, do reach out to her on the Instagram profile provided on the poster .
• Who are some international and local community influencers you’d love to collaborate with? 💜 It would be Jacky Hill Perry. There is some peculiarity about her, and I seem to be drawn to people that are special😂🤭 There are two guys that are so wise, and they seem to stand out to me: Eric Gugua and Wesley Adi. I absolutely love them. And Mpoomy Ledwaba, I’ve followed her for a long time now, she’s done impeccable work. I foresee myself doing something with her involved in the future.
• Do you have a role model? And how do they inspire you? 💜 I have a mentor and I absolutely love her. She models, grace, peace, love, intelligence, honour, discipline, creativity – she is a well-rounded woman. I once had a role model, but I found out she practices sorcery – I UNROLE MODELLED HER! For now, the mama mentoring me is my role model. But Jesus is the ultimate role model!
• What do you think is very important for young people with big dreams like you should know? 💜 Big dreams are only fulfilled by a big God! You have to partner with the God that gave you those dreams, work hard, be consistent, and like Steve Jobs says “ stay hungry, stay foolish”. That doesn’t mean be a foolish person – it means be relentless in your willingness to grow and don’t be afraid to be seen doing your best.
• Create a short poem titled “Woman look in the mirror”
• What would you say to a young woman who feels called to start something but feels unqualified? 💜 God usually calls the unqualified and qualifies them. If you believe that specific thing is a call, then be rest assured a response is expected from the heavens. Go! Go with the strength you have!
• What is your home language? 💜 IsiZulu. I know you asked me that because you hardly hear me speak my home language🤣
• Complete this sentence, “If you caught me by surprise you’d find me…” 💜 Having a conversation with Holy Spirit (I am always talking to Him).
• What piece of advise would you like to leave with our readers today? 💜 Firstly, be born again. Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior – that’s your ticket to a wholesome life AND ETERNAL LIFE. Secondly, embrace your uniqueness and authenticity, that’s one of my hacks for a joyful life. It helps you live from a point of understanding your own personal journey and breeds willingness to walk it faithfully. Lastly, live! Live fully! Laugh loudly! Love generously!
One thing this season has taught me is this, God is the only God. We may not say it out loud, but many times, we’ve placed man on a throne that doesn’t belong to them. And we’re quick to say, “Oh no, not me!” Really? Look at how we prioritize people over God. We run after man’s approval, crave their validation, chase their hearts… and forget about chasing God’s.
We shower man with compliments, celebrate them day and night, yet when it comes to God, we go silent. Worship feels like a task. Heavy. Forced. We need to be pushed to lift our hands, to sing, to adore Him yet we’ll dance and sing for man without even being asked. But not anymore. I’ve learned: only God sits on the throne of my heart. That seat is His and His alone. I will serve no foreign god.
When man has come through for us, helped us, supported us, stood by us we show gratitude, not worship. There’s a clear line, and it must never be blurred.
I’m reminded of Peter, when he entered the house of Cornelius. As Cornelius bowed to worship him, Peter quickly rebuked him, saying, “Stand up; I too am just a man.” And this was no ordinary man this was a man God Himself had endorsed, a man God spoke to Cornelius about in a vision! He was walking in power, doing miracles, signs, and wonders. Yet he remained just that, a man. Exploits and greater works don’t make us equal with God. No. Never.
I’m so grateful for the people who have stood by me, those who showed up, helped, and carried me through seasons. But they are not my gods. Only the Lord Jesus Christ is. He alone is the One I worship.
I love that David Dam song that says, “Only Yeshua will reign forever!” And it’s true. There may be 10,000 powerful prophets out there, but Only Yeshua! There are fierce intercessors who can pray you into places you never dreamed of, today you’re crying, tomorrow you’re sitting in boardrooms but still, Only Yeshua!
Yes, the blind see. Yes, lost souls are being won. But the glory? Still Only Yeshua.We must understand this: man is still just man helped by God. So what do we do? We recognise the God working through people. We honour them, we celebrate them, but we worship God. Never the other way around. Celebrate man, yes but worship belongs to God alone.
This truth will also help you extend grace when those same men fall. Because if you never placed them on a GOD pedestal to begin with, their mistakes won’t make you abandon your faith in God. You’ll remember they’re just men. Helped by God. And men… fall.
I pray this short message has helped you. And let it also remind you, yes even you, no matter how gifted, anointed, or impactful you become you are a man (or woman) helped by God. Never forget that.We are striving to become like Him but we are and will never be Him. Shall we listen to this wonderful song together?
