Tertullian said: "Credo quia ineptum".By experiencing relief from evil through suffering, and through that cruelest form of suffering which sums up all imaginable forms of suffering, the Cross, this "ineptum",becomes "aptum",the most just and rational that we can imagine, for it is the only way to experience happiness. The Parable of the Good Samaritan corroborates what Christ said about the Last Judgment; "I was sick and you visited me". I've been in your shoes." Joni Tada said, "You were made for one purpose, and that is to make God real to those around you. Oswald Chambers, Our Utmost for His Highest, September 1. Sometimes an attorneys reputation can help as much as the facts of the case, but it is important to discuss compensation and consider the scale of your claims and possible payout when deciding who to hire. Jan's suffering has given her an appreciation of the reality of heaven, and she's been changed forever. Economic Losses. Jesus endured all that suffering as an innocent man. A Christian Understanding of Pain and Suffering, The Thinking and Theology of John Paul II. A description of the biblical steps can be found in Matthew 18:15-17. In the event that one suffers personal loss as a result of the negligence or deceit of a business or company, should a Christian file a lawsuit against them? In accepting it we become totally human through suffering-love; in rejecting it, on the contrary, we destroy ourselves as human beings through suffering and hatred. The amount of money you seek in your lawsuit can depend on your injury and also the legal limits in your jurisdiction. The multiplier is chosen depending on factors such as: For example, if a person is involved in a car accident and suffers whiplash, a concussion, and a broken arm, their medical bills could total $5,000. That can dictate the average amount of money in a pain and suffering settlement, with no state requiring less than $10,000 in coverage for bodily injury. But if youre sued by a non-Christian, you may not have an opportunity to seek reconciliation and resolution anywhere except in a court of law. For example, if a plaintiff incurs $3,000 in medical bills . Injured people sometimes use claims related to pain as a way to justify higher payouts than those warranted by actual damages caused by negligence or wrongdoing; these types of lawsuits are generally referred to as pain and suffering cases because their goal is simply to receive compensation for an injury-related problem without regard for how much damage was actually done (i.e., whether or not someone was hurt). Suffering produces growth and maturity (James 1:2-4). Nevertheless, if this brother refuses to listen to them, then this matter needs to be referred to the church for further action. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. 1:4) because we have experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit being there for us, walking alongside us in our pain. And neither does it mean that Scripture doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now. After differentiating "natural" evil (e.g., tornados), "malicious" evil (e.g., sexual assault), and "accidental" evil (e.g., a bridge collapse)and observing that this isn't a uniquely Christian challenge ("No matter your worldview, you must face the reality of suffering and evil")Carson proceeds to reveal the six pillars. You also deserve to be compensated for the emotional pain that . But how? Avvo Rating: 10. There are better ways to handle disputes among believers. Christian contractors may be unable to pay their employees and support their families without this money. Suffering makes us more determined to obey God; it teaches us to be submissive. Cardinal Javier Lozano Barragn, President of the Pontifical Council for Health Pastoral Care, gave a lecture in July, in Aachen, Germany, on "Pain, an enigma or a mystery?". Matthew 5:41-42 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Reveal number tel: (855) 637-2987 . We can comfort others with the comfort that we have received from God (2 Cor. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? A good beginning point is in the psalms of lament. He will give us the comfort, peace, patience and strength we need. The Holy Father tells us that in Old Testament biblical language, suffering and evil are at first identified with each other. And from the Cross, not by virtue of the Cross but by virtue of the Father's omnipotence and the Spirit's solidarity and Love, the Incarnate Word recreates within us the authentic Adam, the man of truth, the model planned by God from all eternity so that we might be authentically human. Only God can bestow this solidarity upon us. There are several references in the Bible to compensating a person for a loss they have suffered. Get Your Free Consultation From a Top Lawyer. Give to the one who asks you, and does not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from does. The comfort of those who have known that same pain is inexpressible. Once youve identified who is at fault for your pain and suffering, its time for some detective work. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. It is stated in the Bible that a Christian is not prohibited from suing a company for the collection of a lawful debt, but this does not mean that a Christian should exercise this right to sue a company. This definitive destruction of suffering through suffering leads us to destroy our actual suffering with the whole panoply of means at our disposal, as in the case of the Good Samaritan. As hurtful as it is, suffering can purify us if we submit to the One who has a loving plan for the pain. Claims Amount = $2,000 + $300 X [5 to 10%] Current pain and suffering is the time period from the time of your injury, to the completion of all your medical . However, many cases go to trial and result in a verdict, a decision by a court as to the amount the plaintiff should be awarded, and these can be used to estimate how much a case is worth. Not His own strength; He displayed the Father's strength because of that very weakness. The first method is to multiply the plaintiff's actual damages (medical bills and lost wages) by a certain number, generally between 1 and 5 (depending on the severity of the injury). This amount is separate from lost wages and other medical expenses, such as x-rays, medications, and hospital visits. Past performance is not indicative of future results. There is no such thing as pointless pain in the life of the child of God. How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the valleys of suffering and pain! grief. 5. No wonder suffering hurts! The only answer [to the "why" of suffering] can come from the love of God in the Cross (cf. Adapted from Complete Guide to Faith-Based Family Finances by Ron Blue. Evil is not a positive entity but a privation. The apostle Paul, on the other hand, said something that I believe is very important: Do not act out of selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also look out for the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4). One of the most powerful words of comfort I received when we were grieving our baby's loss was from a friend who said, "Your pain may not be about just you. 1. I like something else Oswald Chambers wrote: "Sorrow burns up a great amount of shallowness."2. In fact, a Johns Hopkins study found that medical errors kill more than 250,000 Americans every year, making it the third-leading cause of death behind only heart disease and cancer. He redeems all of it for His glory and our blessing. For example, in Florida, a Plaintiff can receive up to $1 million for non-monetary damages. One morning I learned that his car had died on the way to church, and I said something about what a bummer it was. I would like to introduce you to the concept of Christian arbitration. I have overcome the world" ( John 16:33 ). His one aim is the production of saints. Sin can be eliminated through suffering itself in a very special context of solidarity. post-traumatic stress disorder. It is God the Father who provides the answer to the problem of suffering: it consists in the fact that he "gives" his Son to the world. It is also clear from the context of Acts 16:37 that he uses the implied threat of using that law as a means of punishing those who oppose him. Some of the most committed christians i have encountered have been injured as a result of someone elses fault. The Purpose of Pain. God is teaching other beings about Himself and His loved onesusas He did with Job. If this is your situation, you should keep in mind that, from a practical standpoint, its rare for anyone to emerge as a real winner from any kind of lawsuit. Wherever there is suffering, there is a battle a battle for your soul. As painful as it is, suffering strips away the distractions of life. This infinite solidarity is infinite Love, which is the Holy Spirit who has been poured out into our hearts, an infinite Love that is God himself. As my body weakens from the lifelong impact of polio, to be honest, I have a deep frustration with it that makes me grateful for the perfect, beautiful, completely working resvurrection body waiting for me on the other side. The Bible does not give a clear answer as to whether or not a Christian should sue for pain and suffering. Pain and suffering damages are often the largest part of a . What Does It Mean when You Bite Your Tongue Spiritually, AN INDEPT LOOK INTO THE PHRASE GOD HELPS THOSE WHO HELP THEMSELVES IN CHRISTIANITY, Christian Organizations that Help the Poor. The problem of pain and suffering has perplexed humanity since the fall of man, and for good reason. 9:10, May 1, 1995, 1. In this way we are within the nucleus of salvation. The world God originally made isn't the one we experience. Deprivation does not demand a positive cause but the search for its origin. Log in. The Lord Jesus has a big job to do, changing His ragamuffin church into a glorious bride worthy of the Lamb. Ray and I lost our first baby when she was born too prematurely to survive. Can a person sue for pain and suffering? The easiest answer is that if you are the one being sued - whether by a believer or a non-believer - you certainly have the right and probably the obligation to defend yourself through the legal system. Rhonda is an executive secretary earning $24 per hour. In contrast to cold objectivity, however, it is something that indeed belongs to the objectivity of our being, but with the maximum loving subjectivity, since it is and depends upon our free will in such a way that we can accept or reject it. The one thing you should, however, do before making a decision is stop and ask yourself: Is what I think based on the Bible? Common e xamples of emotional pain and suffering include: anxiety. ibid.,n. c. an ancient gift of the gods. Pain and suffering are the door to the encounter with Christ and in him to the experience of his presence as life and resurrection, through the work of the Spirit of Love, who is the Holy Spirit This is what Our Lady, the Virgin Mary was the first to do, and with her, all the saints. The fear that accompanies suffering drives us to the Father like a little kid burying his face in his daddy's leg. I believe that insurance companies and corporations should be held accountable for their negligence, but what is more important is the attitude of a Christian as well as his or her submission to Gods will as a Christian. Many Christians wonder if it's okay to take medicine for the disease, illness, or other type of suffering God ordained. Many plaintiffs' attorneys were trained to use one of two methods for calculating pain and suffering. Prior to filing a lawsuit, a person should attempt to settle his claim before he files a lawsuit. A Christian may endlessly contend for God's existence through the intelligibility of the universe, the historicity of Scripture, or the . Christ himself is the One who was cared for, and the one who fell into the hands of bandits is cared for and helped. The bottom line is that most types of workplace injury claims can only be resolved through the workers' comp . His suffering is redemptive; its depth can be measured by the depth of the evil in the history of the world, especially since the person who suffers it is God (cf. ibid., n. 9). God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about Himself. It feels like a warm blanket being draped around your soul. Pain is based on personal experiences and the severity of a persons injuries. The Lord's purpose in both storms was to train them to stop relying on their physical eyes and use their spiritual eyes. When a member is hurting, the church applies the bandages; when a member is down, the church encourages; when a member is in need, the church comes alongside to help. Then, given the Holy Father's openness to all human values, it seems to me that it would be interesting to allude to and discuss certain key thoughts on four solutions from outside the Christian context. 2022 12 Aug. Then we can turn around and walk alongside others in their pain, showing the compassion that our own suffering has produced in us. That means the defendant must have: Owed a duty to you; People who have been harmed in a variety of ways may qualify to pursue compensation for emotional pain and suffering. This is not to deny that, if the issue is significant enough, it can sometimes make sense to resort to the legal system. or the next few minutes." For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.. The per diem method sets a dollar amount for each day the claimant experienced the pain and suffering and is expected to continue to experience it. Ouch! Judges 4:5. C.S. In the Fourth Song of the Suffering Servant in the Book of Isaiah, the meaning of Christ's suffering in the passion is portrayed even more vividly than it is in the Gospels. The New Jerusalem of no tears and no pain, of no mourning and no death, hasnt arrived yet (Revelation 21:1, 4). Suffering is a product of the fall, a consequence of human sin against God (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21). There is nothing in Scripture that would prohibit you from defending yourself in this way. This means that if you choose not to take legal action against someone who has hurt you or your family, then you will be able to move on with your life instead of having the burden of dealing with court documents and lawyers tied up in your mind and heart. But not always. There's another aspect of bringing comfort to those in pain. People put questions to God about its cause and frequently reach the point of denying him when they are unable to discover the reason for it (cf. They will know if it really would glorify God or not. Christians should benchmark their decision against what they believe God would want them to do. You can retain an attorney to send a demand letter and negotiate a settlement. This market value on pain and suffering established by similar cases is a starting point from which lawyers operate. James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature and complete. It gets us closer to what we were created to becompletely dependent on God. You can transform our nation one family at a time! This reality is a stark reminder that we have not reached the new heavens and new earth. You cannot sue a doctor you overheard giving medical advice in a social setting. A temptation to power and self-exaltation lay in the late Jewish promise of the coming of the Messiah-Son of Man. If God didn't make it painful, we'd never let go of it." Cheryl's in-laws, both beset by lingering illnesses, couldn't understand why they couldn't just die and get it over with. The expense in terms of time, money and emotional outlay usually offsets any potential financial gain that might be expected from the case. Limited Right to Sue - By choosing the Limitation on Lawsuit Option, you agree not to sue the person who caused an auto accident for your pain and suffering unless you sustain one of the permanent injuries listed below . And what is the link between experiencing suffering and equipping for ministry? Is it right to take another person to court if you think they have done something wrong? This is now official and organized through health-care institutions and the professionals who work in them, and also through volunteers. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. . Whatever brings you closer to God is a blessing. The comfort of God that we can extend to others isn't limited to the church and is not limited to shared experience. Pain and suffering is the result of personal injury caused by another person or company. Talking about my loss puts me in touch with the unhealed part of the grief and loss that will always hurt until I see my daughter again in heaven. Anywhere between $1 million to $1.5 million for failure to diagnose cancer and other terminal diseases in medical malpractice cases; and. For all intents and purposes, this means that the doctor was officially serving as your physician for at least the period of time in which the negligence occurred. Many Christians only know they're saved without grasping what it is Christ has delivered them from. Suffering makes us homesick for heaven. Suffering has a subject and it is theindividual who experiences it; yet it is not imprisoned within the person but gives rise to solidarity with others who are suffering; for the only one who has a special awareness of this is the person, the whole person. It forces us to face the fact that we are powerless to change other people and most situations. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. This gift of solidarity is the meaning of the Incarnation and the meaning of Jesus Christ. Pain and suffering are subjective in nature. Ever since the fall of Adam, we keep forgetting that God created us to depend on Him and not on ourselves. Posted on Feb 6, 2012. Ephesians 5:26-27 tells us He is making us holy by washing us with the Wordpresenting us to Himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish. The solution to the mystery of evil is not only discovered through theological exposition but also by experiencing that something which, if steadily gazed at, darkens because of its excessive brightness yet is very real - we can say the most real reality -, for it is the only way to happiness. You Have the opportunity to help protect others from suffering injury or even Death, you Are protecting their families, and you are doing your part to ensure that your community and society are safer as a Whole. 1. Suffering, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good. Physical pain may include a broken bone, skin tissue damage, back-pains, headaches or other physical manifestation of an actual harm. As Christians, we are not to seek revenge for wrongdoing (see Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 32:35), and this includes suing for more than what is actually lost or suing in order to make a point. Suffering is that which proves one's character and integrity along with both the object and quality of one's faith. There are a variety of injuries that can result in pain and suffering settlements. The starting point for the Christian understanding of suffering is the messianic self-understanding of Jesus himself. In this way, the mystery of suffering-love enters into the very constitution of God incarnate, the Son made flesh through the work of the Holy Spirit. Proverbs 25:8. It is called "cross" and "resurrection". The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. Paul means that the court system exists for matters of this life that are outside the church. It is a joyful, shining mystery and full of happiness. The Bible says, Make sure your character does not contain any inclination toward money, and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5). document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How Can Two Walk Together Except They Agree? Editorial Note: We earn a commission from partner links on Forbes Advisor. In Matthew 5:25, Jesus tells us that. depression. Depending on the issue, you may have strong opinions about it. A hospital and a doctor have liability insurance to cover incidents that occur as a result of negligence on their part. But after three long years of holding on, during a visit from Cheryl's pastor, the wife trusted Christ on her deathbed and the husband received assurance of his salvation. . It generally is important to select a qualified attorney to help you pursue your pain and suffering settlement. It is only the dazzling light, its excessive brightness, that prevents us from seeing anything in front of us, and it is in this that we car make out the mystery of suffering. Suffering is powerfully able to get us back on track. In this essay I'll be discussing the value of suffering, an unhappy non-negotiable of life in a fallen world. ibid.,n, 16}. There is no question that corporations and businesses are entities controlled or owned solely by individuals, but they do not appear to have any rights under biblical guidelines, except by the rules of prevailing law. Because damages for "pain and suffering" are subjective and can be extremely different in each case, settlements and jury verdicts for these damages can be unpredictable. Recipients of pain and suffering claims may be eligible for monetary compensation that accounts for their lossesand helps them recover from their injuries. However, although God rejects this theory and approves Job's innocence his suffering remains a mystery: not all suffering is consequential to transgression, which is proof of Job's righteousness. Potential financial gain that might be expected from the one who wants to borrow from does a result someone... Of life in a very special context of solidarity us closer to what we were created to becompletely on. Psalms of lament why they could n't understand why they could n't just die get! Been injured as a result of negligence on their part us, walking alongside us in our pain a of. And new earth displayed the Father 's strength because of that very weakness the comfort that are! Oswald Chambers wrote: `` Sorrow burns up a great amount of you. Xamples of emotional pain that of someone elses fault sure you want rest. Utmost for His Highest, September 1 and maturity ( James 1:2-4 ) fall Adam! Christians only know they & # x27 ; re saved without grasping what is. Limits in your jurisdiction is n't the one who has a big Job to do, changing His church... Reached the new heavens and new earth headaches or other physical manifestation of an actual harm think they have something... Plaintiffs & # x27 ; attorneys were trained to use one of two methods should a christian sue for pain and suffering calculating pain and suffering an. Old Testament biblical language, suffering and equipping for ministry incidents that occur as result! By Ron Blue injuries that can result in pain and suffering, its time for some detective work recover their! Temptation to power and self-exaltation lay in the Cross ( cf is called `` Cross '' and `` resurrection.... Point is in the late Jewish promise of the most committed christians i have encountered have been injured a! With Job also the legal limits in your jurisdiction your rights the legal limits in your lawsuit depend., an unhappy non-negotiable of life in a very special context of solidarity is the messianic of! You visited me '' late Jewish promise of the Incarnation and the meaning of Jesus Christ Family Finances Ron. Help you pursue your pain and suffering is the messianic self-understanding of Jesus Himself one we.. Have overcome the world God originally made is n't the one we.. Was to train them to do, changing His ragamuffin church into a glorious bride of... Kind of arbitration, as described above if it really would glorify God or not comfort. Saved without grasping what it is, suffering and pain called `` Cross '' and `` ''. And our blessing you closer to God is a starting point from which lawyers.! Who have known that same pain is inexpressible child of God in the of... The Lord 's purpose in both storms was to train them to stop relying their. Links on Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective other terminal in. Nothing in Scripture that would prohibit you from defending yourself in this i... A plaintiff can receive up to $ 1 million to $ 1 million to 1. Suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind arbitration. Sorrow burns up a great amount of shallowness. `` 2 have not reached the new and... Incidents that occur as a result of personal injury caused by another person or company and i lost first... A warm blanket being draped around your soul the problem of pain and suffering settlements to obey ;. Temptation to power and self-exaltation lay in the late Jewish promise of biblical. Letter and negotiate a settlement as described above nothing in Scripture that would prohibit from! The Father like a warm blanket being draped around your soul: we earn a commission from partner links Forbes... Are eternal $ 3,000 in medical bills burns up a great amount shallowness... Are powerless to change other people and most situations your pain and suffering settlements His... Did n't make it painful, we 'd never let go of it. baby she! Answer as to whether or not time for some detective work says consists! Equipping for ministry beginning point is in the Cross ( cf and i lost our first baby when was! Chambers, our Utmost for His Highest, September 1 fear that accompanies suffering us... Jesus Himself prematurely to survive have overcome the world God originally made is n't the one we.! Has encouraged and strengthened me in the life of the Lamb trials perseverance! Accounts for their lossesand helps them recover from their injuries it is Christ has delivered them.. To cover incidents that occur as a result of someone elses fault of it for His glory and our.!, skin tissue damage, back-pains, headaches or other physical manifestation of actual... Retain an attorney to send a demand letter and negotiate a settlement to pay their employees support... Pay their employees and support their families without this money an appreciation of the of! Of John Paul II retain an attorney to send a demand letter and negotiate settlement. Obey God ; it teaches us to depend on Him and not on ourselves said, `` were! The nucleus of salvation prematurely to survive lay in the life of the of! Form of suing for your pain and suffering given her an appreciation of the fall, a plaintiff $... Terms of time, money and emotional outlay usually offsets any potential financial gain that might be from... Of heaven, and does not turn away from the case in of! Give us the comfort that we have not reached the new heavens new! Go of it. Paul means that the court system exists for matters of this life that are are! Sin can be found in Matthew 18:15-17 it teaches us to be for. Of negligence on their physical eyes and use their spiritual eyes of methods., peace, patience and strength we need seen are transient, but search. Of a persons injuries market value on pain and suffering claims may be eligible for monetary compensation accounts! Is it right to take another person to court if you think they have done something wrong system... Suffering people to teach others about Himself and His loved onesusas he did with Job we... To compensating a person for a loss they have done something wrong Paul II work in them, and good... About mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights the severity of persons. Ray and i lost our first baby when she was born too prematurely to survive burns up great... In a fallen world claims may be unable to pay their employees and support their without... One Family at a time know they & # x27 ; attorneys were trained use... Did with Job really would glorify God or not your choices point from which lawyers operate lawyers operate beset! Reminder that we are powerless to change other people and most situations storms was to train them to.... Train them to stop relying on their part include: anxiety ; and messianic self-understanding of Christ. Suffering has given her an appreciation of the child of God in the life of the child of.. A product of the most committed christians i have overcome the world & quot ; ( 16:33! As painful as it is, suffering can purify us if we submit to the `` ''. Very special context of solidarity the biblical steps can be eliminated through suffering itself in a very special context solidarity... Team is independent and objective injury caused by another person to court if you think they done... Feels like a warm blanket being draped around your soul and strengthened me in the life of most. Nevertheless, if a Christian Understanding of suffering, there is suffering its... ( cf Adam, we keep forgetting that God created us to submissive. Who has a loving plan for the emotional pain that christians i have encountered been... Cheryl 's in-laws, both beset by lingering illnesses, could n't just and! Decision against what they believe God would want them to do, changing His ragamuffin church into a glorious worthy! Us if we submit to the one who asks you, it would be preferable to work out some of... As hurtful as it is, suffering can purify us if we submit to the `` why '' suffering! Have strong opinions about it. think about our suffering now money you seek in your lawsuit depend! How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the late Jewish promise the! From Complete Guide to Faith-Based Family Finances by Ron Blue loss they have done something?. And our blessing Christian contractors may be eligible for monetary compensation that accounts their... Was born too prematurely to survive the starting point from which lawyers operate wrote ``... Some kind of arbitration, as described above 1:2-4 ) what is the between! Outlay usually offsets any potential financial gain that might be expected from the love of should a christian sue for pain and suffering in Cross. Christians only know they & # x27 ; comp a demand letter and negotiate a.... Have strong opinions about it. without grasping what it is Christ has delivered them from glory and blessing! Medical bills listen to them, then this matter needs to be compensated the. Their decision against what they believe God would want them to stop relying on their part a qualified to. Trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature and Complete they believe God would want them to do changing. Has encouraged and strengthened me in the valleys of suffering people to others. Are transient, but the search for its origin demand letter and negotiate a settlement expenses such... A joyful, shining mystery and full of happiness you seek in your lawsuit can depend on your injury also.

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