A Physician Who Helps Us Embrace the Hope of Spring

A true physician must be able to view life from the perspectives of spirit, soul, and body

• A true physician must be able to view life from the perspectives of spirit, soul, and body, and even though patients may be facing difficulties comparable to winter, they will help them embrace the hope of spring -
• For over a decade, I have attended the retirement ceremonies of professors, listening to their life stories and messages to future generations, hoping to learn any valuable lessons. However, most of their talks revolved around their respective departments and simply summarized their lives, with few offering insightful wisdom for the future.
  Since then, I have pondered what beneficial message I should convey at my own retirement ceremony.
  There's a saying that when leaving, one should depart quietly, without looking back, and simply move forward. In a way, I find this sentiment relatable. After all, everyone eventually leaves their post, so why bother with lengthy speeches?
• However, a strong desire to leave a few words or a message at my retirement ceremony has intensified. This is because sharing the preciousness and gratitude for life is not limited to me alone; it is equally important for professors, students studying life science and medicine, and everyone who will experience suffering.
• A few years ago, I came across a news report about an incident abroad where a boy trapped under building debris was miraculously rescued after a week. After his rescue, the boy gave an interview to the media. He recounted that he was holding hands with his father when the building suddenly collapsed, leaving him isolated. He explained that he survived by eating the bread he had with him and drinking the stagnant water around him, never giving up hope that his father would surely come to rescue him.
  While he was thankfully rescued after a week by the rescue team, it was likely his unwavering belief that his father would come to rescue him that allowed him to endure the darkness alone. Wasn't the true strength derived from his trust and love for his father?
• As we navigate life, unexpected misfortunes can strike, leading us into harsh winters. These misfortunes can stem from money, power, prestige, or relationships, but sometimes they strike inexplicably and unjustly.
  If this harsh winter of life, brought about by misfortune, persists for too long, no one can survive.
  However, just like the child mentioned above, if there is a belief within their hearts that their father will rescue them from that darkness, they can endure the winter and, eventually, a spring of life – a bud of hope – will emerge within them.
• Physicians, depending on their specialty, often encounter cancer patients or those with medically intractable conditions. Sometimes, treatment outcomes are poor, or they may witness the death of patients, leading to a sense of powerlessness.
  However, if we view these disease processes and outcomes as a winter season in the cycle of life, the perspectives of both the physician and the patient can change.
  Even in the most challenging cases of incurable or intractable diseases, if the seed of life grows within their spirit, the darkness of their minds, riddled with frustration and loneliness, will be illuminated, leading to the hope for life.
  
  
• Upon reaching this level of understanding, individuals transcend the simple struggle for survival and discover a new, true life within themselves. In other words, even though they are currently experiencing a harsh winter, they can anticipate and see the spring of life through faith.
  In the New Testament, the Book of Hebrews states that 'faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.' The boy's testimony during the broadcast interview is a testament to the words in Hebrews about faith.
• Human life consists of spirit, soul, and body. The scientific world, grounded in reason and logic, addresses life only from the dimensions of the physical body and mind. We are unable to perceive what occurs in the unconscious realm. The spiritual realm lies hidden within the unconscious, hence it is inaccessible to the conscious mind. Therefore, science has limitations when it comes to discussing these aspects.
  
  
• In the New Testament, a learned Jewish man named Paul, the apostle, was on his way to Damascus in Syria when he unexpectedly heard the voice of Jesus, the essence of life, and began a new life. He experienced a so-called 'new birth'. After this, he no longer regarded life from a physical perspective as the true life. It's a matter of perspective, but when someone encounters the Lord, who is the light and essence of life, change occurs. As a result, even though he was originally a highly educated scholar, he referred to all his prior studies as elementary knowledge. From the perspective of a reborn person after enlightenment, this transformation occurs.
  
  
• A true physician must be able to view life from the perspectives of spirit, soul, and body, and even though patients may be facing difficulties comparable to winter, they will help them embrace the hope of spring.
  
  
• No matter how difficult things may be in this world, even if death approaches, if there is 'faith that my father will come to rescue me,' one will live. In the case of adults, when they encounter Jesus, the essence and light of life, as their Father within their hearts, even if they face darkness or a harsh winter, the love of the Lord will dwell within their spirits, providing them with strength to endure. They will awaken to the spiritual perspective of life that transcends the physical body, and as eternal life takes root within them, they will sing, 'Winter will pass, and spring will come'.
  
  
• First, I express my gratitude to the Lord of light and life for granting me the opportunity to reach retirement. I also extend my sincere appreciation to my family, colleagues, relatives, and acquaintances who have cared for and supported me throughout this journey.
• August 27, 2019, Department of Radiation Oncology, Jeonbuk National University School of Medicine, Hyung-Chul Kwon