Held Hostage by the Columbian FARC
Ingrid Betancourt became headline news when she was kidnapped by the Colombian guerrilla movement FARC in 2002. The Colombian presidential candidate was held in the jungle, mistreated and tortured, until she, and 14 other hostages, were rescued by the Colombian military six years later. Betancourt, who has a son and daughter, wrote a book about her ordeal and received international bravery awards. ‘It was a battle, not only with the guerrillas, but with our inner selves.’
Who am I to question such profound wisdom – but the only thing I will is Ingird saying we should ‘get rid of guilt’. Yes, but not by ignoring wrong doing, but by facing it and repenting and accepting forgiveness – then we can transform as she invites. If we don’t do this guilt clings to us and becomes shame – which then impinges on our identity and is destructive, whereas guilt can be constructive if we allow it to move us into the person we want to be. We are not made of stone (as deterministic philosophies would suggest), but flesh and spirit – and choosing to be open to change is what makes us human – and if we move in the spirit of love – we will rejoice in who we become!