Book Review 'Living by Faith in a Life of Suffering'

Living by faith in life of suffering

“Living by Faith in a Life of Suffering” is the spiritual memoir and final testimony of the late pastor Kim Seong-bok, who, despite being diagnosed with terminal liver cancer, never let go of his pastoral calling or his unwavering faith in God. This book is more than just a record of a man’s battle with illness — it is a deeply personal confession of faith, born in the crucible of physical suffering and spiritual clarity.

1. Walking with illness and faith

After being diagnosed with liver cancer in 1994, Kim endured five years of struggle before undergoing a life-saving liver transplant in 1999. Even after the transplant, he faced repeated hospitalizations and complications. Yet through it all, he remained steadfast in his belief that his life was held not by his own strength, but by the hand of God. This conviction forms the central theme of the book.

2. A theology of life through suffering

Kim saw suffering not as a curse but as a path toward spiritual awakening. He called this process “theologizing life” — reinterpreting one’s pain through the lens of gratitude and divine grace. “To look at suffering with eyes of thankfulness,” he writes, “is to live as a true Christian.” This message transforms his personal agony into a source of encouragement for others, teaching that suffering can be a sacred opportunity to encounter God more deeply.

3. A journey of faith shared with the reader

As noted in the book's endorsements, this work resonates especially with believers seeking to strengthen their faith in the face of hardship. In an age when faith often wanes under pressure, Kim’s testimony reminds Christians of the steadfastness required to trust God through life’s storms. For nonbelievers, the book may serve as a gentle invitation to explore the foundations of Christian hope.

4. Grace blossoming from suffering

Ultimately, “Living by Faith in a Life of Suffering” is not a chronicle of despair but a hymn of gratitude. It is the story of a man who turned his battle with terminal illness into a testament of God’s love and sovereignty. Kim’s message — that a Christian life is one that interprets even suffering through the light of grace — offers profound comfort and insight for anyone journeying through hardship.

This book is highly recommended for those seeking spiritual meaning in suffering, patients or caregivers enduring illness and Christians desiring to deepen their theological reflection in daily life. As heartfelt, theologically rich testimony of faith amid adversity, this book is a gift — a spiritual light that reveals the grace found in even the darkest valleys of human experience.