And neither does it mean that Scripture doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now. Suffering is that which proves one's character and integrity along with both the object and quality of one's faith. Suffering brings a "one day at a time-ness" to our survival. In Matthew 5:25, Jesus tells us that. In addition to physical pain, the accident and your resulting injuries can also cause you mental distress. Our primary objective, however, should be to resolve the matter without bringing a lawsuit to court. In fact, our suffering is a sign of God's love. Suffering and transgression were held to be the same, at least it was believed that suffering was caused by transgression. Suffering often develops compassion and mercy in us. But what about lawsuits between Christians and non-Christians? The Pope now goes a step further and reaches the heart of the mystery; in his mortal life, Christ put an end to pain by his miracles, He took upon himself the suffering of all and bore it with full consciousness on the Cross (cf. Generally speaking, then, its a good idea to avoid lawsuits. 12:6). Other factors could involve the newsworthiness of your case, how far along in litigation the case is, and whether you bear any responsibility for the accident or injury. The New Jerusalem of no tears and no pain, of no mourning and no death, hasnt arrived yet (Revelation 21:1, 4). Mystery, in the Christian faith, is not darkness but dazzling brightness. The etymological root of the word helps us understand something about it: "mystery" derives from the Greek "M" or "M", which means closing the eyes, not in the sense of going about blind, but of closing the eyes if they are dazzled, such as occurs, for instance, when we look directly at the sun. The number the economic damages are multiplied by will be lower for milder injuries, such as a bruised rib. With all this said, it is important to remember that you need to ask yourself if you would want to be forgiven by God if you were in trouble? To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. ibid., n. 13). He not only teaches those we rub shoulders with every day, but He instructs the countless millions of angels and demons. Suffering can make us long for the new heaven and the new earth where God will set all things right again. 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. (Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, 166). Pastor Dick Bacon once said, "If this life were easy, we'd just love it too much. Economic damages: $5,000. Suffering Allows Us to Minister. If God ordained it, then perhaps we should endure it in full strength. Solidarity belongs to divinized human life as a gift received which takes part in the mystery itself of God's very life. May we always seek to wrap our arms around the enfeebled, to clutch them to ourselves as if they were our own children. Among the many reasons God allows us to suffer, this is my personal favorite: it prepares us to be the radiant bride of Christ. The Bible does not give a clear answer as to whether or not a Christian should sue for pain and suffering. In fact, in the Book of Job and someother Books of the Old Testament the answer is that the cause of evil the transgression of the natural order created by God. As we read in Proverbs, we are warned not to bring a matter to a court hastily. ", God never wastes suffering, not a scrap of it. This aspect of suffering should drive us to long for a better . Let us flee from self-righteousness, and toward compassion, as our Lord has compassion upon us ( Psalm 78:37-39 ). 3 attorney answers. The reason is because the standards, values, philosophies and culture of the world are opposed to Biblical values. 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. As well as striking the blow, the man was also responsible for seeing to it that the injured man was fully healed after the blow was struck. . Karen told Sue she knew of a Christian counselor who did therapy at a reduced rate. The disciples experienced two different storms out on the lake. Towards the end of the book Business by the Book, published by Thomas Nelson, I provide the following answer: In view of the fact that there were no corporations in existence when the Bible was written, the best we can do in order to relate the principle to the closest parallel of that time: a government agency. 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. It prefigures the Lord's passion (cf. Pope John Paul II does not conceal the fact that suffering is something complex, enigmatic and intangible that must be treated with full respect and compassion and even with awe; but this does not justify the attempt to understand it, since only in this way will it be possible to come to terms with it. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); How Can Two Walk Together Except They Agree? Suffering reminds us that we live in an abnormal world. Suffering makes us homesick for heaven. Paul explained what happens in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18: "Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. Some survivors, like Sue, wonder how there could be a God who would allow an innocent child to endure such pain and suffering, and others see no meaning or purpose in life. To enter into the mystery, let us be guided by God himself. L'Osservatore Romano is the newspaper of the Holy See. The pain and suffering amount should be fair and just in the light of the evidence. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. It is the very reason why Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to standards of this . But not always. Solidarity, as the foundation of the whole of existence, is not only sympathy with all, a way of being socially committed and aware that we all belong to the same race, culture, nationality, etc., but is also the experiencing of a bond with all other human beings so deeply within ourselves that it is not a qualification that comes to us as soon as we exist but constitutes our existence itself. Suffering develops holiness in unholy people. So when I say to a mother or father who has also lost a child, "I hurt with you, because I've lost a precious one too," my tears bring warmth and comfort in a way that someone who has never known that pain cannot offer. Is it right for a Christian to sue? Many plaintiffs' attorneys were trained to use one of two methods for calculating pain and suffering. It is far from easy to define the cause of suffering or of the evil connected with it. Many Christians wonder if it's okay to take medicine for the disease, illness, or other type of suffering God ordained. Pain and suffering is one of the 76 Important factors affecting injury claims and settlements. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. They may also target those who are less educated or financially struggling, knowing that they will be more likely to take legal action. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Christian contractors may be unable to pay their employees and support their families without this money. Like Mary in the example above, your pain and suffering may consist mostly of economic losses such as: Cost of medical care It should be noted that they have refused either to pursue a claim or accept any benefits from the wrongdoer as a result. Pinterest. According to the Bible, it is permissible to sue for hospital costs, rehabilitation, therapy, compensation for lost wages while unable to work, or the cost of any surgery that is required to correct a condition caused by the neglect of hospital employees or physicians. He goes on to say: Suffering produces growth and maturity (James 1:2-4). Suffering is a passive or active attitude to evil, or rather, to the lackof a good that it would be desirable to possess(cf. No set standard exists for calculating how pain and suffering should be compensated. 7). Find a lawyer near you. Some lawyers may target Christians who are looking for someone to help them with their problems; others may focus on people looking for someone to blame for their pain and suffering. Find the best ones near you. Searching the Internet for attorneys can produce too many results to manage, but you can look at your state bar website for attorney directories or referral services. Many Christians only know they're saved without grasping what it is Christ has delivered them from. This amount is separate from lost wages and other medical expenses, such as x-rays, medications, and hospital visits. Posted on Feb 6, 2012. May pain and suffering be transformed into a source of strength for all humanity. To begin with, the courts do not have anything inherently evil about them. Articles and answers on lots of topics at Probe.org. Feeling isolated is one of the hardest parts of suffering. Here are five important biblical truths about suffering every Christian should have ready: Suffering has many faces. Marine Corps recruiter Randy Norfleet survived the Oklahoma City bombing despite losing 40 percent of his blood and needing 250 stitches to close his wounds. The wisdom we need in this world often wears black. 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 comfort of those who have known that same pain is inexpressible. Exodus 21:22 states that if men who were fighting struck a pregnant woman during a fight and she gave birth prematurely but without serious injury, then the offender had to pay a fine equivalent to what the womans husband demanded and the court approved. Some states dont allow per diem arguments for non-economic harm, including New Jersey, where the courts have concluded they have no basis in evidence. There is no doubt from what is written in the book of Acts that Paul recognized the authority and the responsibility of the government of Rome as well. Therefore, there is no exact data on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts. One of the most rewarding reasons that suffering has value is experienced by those who can say with conviction, "I know how you feel. 11). Fill out any forms required by that small claims court. When a brother sins against you, Jesus says that you are to tell him his fault in front of just the two of you if he sins against you. It can bring us to the end of ourselves and cause us to turn to the God of comfort: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all . 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? The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. He will give us the comfort, peace, patience and strength we need. ibid.,n. A Christian Understanding of Pain and Suffering, The Thinking and Theology of John Paul II. The first glimpse of suffering we see in this church here is that something is threatening to make them "grow weary and lose heart." It is normal for Christians to have experiences of stress and suffering that threaten their faith and press too hard, or last too long and feel almost intolerable. . 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. There are several references in the Bible to compensating a person for a loss they have suffered. Cheryl's in-laws, both beset by lingering illnesses, couldn't understand why they couldn't just die and get it over with. It is quite understandable that this would happen. California, for example, limits non-economic damages such as pain and suffering to $250,000 in malpractice suits. The original version of this article is found at www.probe.org/the-value-of-suffering/. It is a joyful, shining mystery and full of happiness. Sin can be eliminated through suffering itself in a very special context of solidarity. Get Your Free Consultation From a Lawyer Near You. It was the most horrible suffering we've ever known. 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. Instead of seeing that inability to pray as a personal failure, we can rejoice that our perception of being totally needy corresponds to the truth that we really are that needy. For further help and information you may wish to visit the website of Peacemaker Ministries. The simple answer is yessometimes. Should Christians be involved in lawsuits? James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature and complete. It feels like a warm blanket being draped around your soul. But just as sunlight pours through a window but is blocked by a wall, I discovered that other people could see God's strength and beauty in me because of the window-like nature of my weakness! Christian Versus Christian Civil Dispute: According to 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, a Christian is not to civilly file a lawsuit against another Christian in a secular court of law. The church is not meant to be a loosely bound association of functional Lone Rangers. You can transform our nation one family at a time! One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. Measuring Pain and Suffering Damages. ibid., n. 9). The comfort of God that we can extend to others isn't limited to the church and is not limited to shared experience. Give to the one who asks you, and does not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from does. Only in love is it possible to find the saving response to pain. There are better ways to handle disputes among believers. But getting there is painful in the Lord's "laundry room." No wonder suffering hurts! Sue wasn't too sure she wanted to talk to anybody about her life, let alone a . Used with permission. Deep suffering of the soul is also a taste of hell. 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. It can be hard to place a dollar value on the value of one days pain however. Documenting time spent addressing an injury and its side effects also is important. Today the existence of evil still looms as perhaps the largest objection to the Christian faith. Lets say a Christian contractor performed work on a brother Christians house, but the brother refused to pay. The Holy Father tells us that in Old Testament biblical language, suffering and evil are at first identified with each other. Emotional distress is a type of 'pain and suffering' damage. Types of Pain and Suffering Claims. It is a core part of the Christian vocation to seek to relieve the suffering of others. . Oswald Chambers, Our Utmost for His Highest, September 1. Anywhere between $1 million to $1.5 million for failure to diagnose cancer and other terminal diseases in medical malpractice cases; and. The perfect Plan A of God's beautiful, suffering-free creation was ruined when Adam and Eve fell. It is victory over death. In a lawsuit for personal injury, there are two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages. Reveal number tel: (855) 637-2987 . In addition to the comments above, you should also know that you are likely obligated to arbitrate your claim with Kaiser rather than sue in court. Pain is inevitable; none of us is able to opt out of it. He then briefly outlines the context of suffering, speaking of the vast field of suffering and of the suffering person. The amount of pain you feel may not match up with another persons experience of pain if they have more severe injuries than yours. Several years ago I realized that instead of despising the fact that polio had left me with a body that was weakened and compromised, susceptible to pain and fatigue, I could choose to rejoice in it. Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. The average payout for an injury from a car accident is $23,234 according to the Insurance Information Institute. A doctor-patient relationship exists. One first needs to frame the enigma correctly and begin to seek its cause. This is the heart of Christianity. So often, people wonder what kind of cruel God would deliberately make a world so full of pain and suffering. I got facts in Sunday School, but I learned faith through trusting God in difficult circumstances. But losing Becky has enabled me to weep with those who weep with the comforting tears of one who has experienced that deep and awful loss. There is nothing in Scripture that would prohibit you from defending yourself in this way. He has kept you through pain; he has reshaped you more into his image. It is thought that one of the reasons that medical insurance is so expensive is that there are so many people who sue for things that were never under anyones control or were not caused by one individuals negligence in the first place. Suffering teaches us the difference between the important and the transient. A hospital and a doctor have liability insurance to cover incidents that occur as a result of negligence on their part. Life Insurance Attorney in Philadelphia, PA. A description of the biblical steps can be found in Matthew 18:15-17. It prepares us for heaven by teaching us how unfulfilling life on earth is and helping us develop an eternal perspective. Being cut off from good is an evil. Medical malpractice is alarmingly common in the United States. When someone is injured by another person or business, there are two ways to approach the situation: suing or forgiving. It is required of you, however, to treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector (i.e., a nonbeliever) if he refuses to listen to the church. . This word pair names one of the most difficult problems facing Christian faith and practice today. . Answer. In this way we are within the nucleus of salvation. ibid.,n, 16}. David Powlison answers this way: When youve passed through your own fiery trials, and found God to be true to what he says, you have real help to offer. This compensation comes from two main sources. Rather, the disputed matter should be arbitrated or judged by a wise Christian or Christians. Taking this advice is wise, since lawsuits can rob us of our peace of mind (Proverbs 29:9). Estimate the damages you are owed and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount. Rather, it recognizes the multifaceted ways that suffering can come upon us. But in matters of . Basically the majority of christians see god and Satan as equal or mostly equal figures fighting for the souls of humans rather than the actual biblical relationship between them of Satan being a tool god uses to test the faith and morality if humans. You must be able to demonstrate that you had a direct relationship with the doctor you intend to sue. 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. The multiplier method totals all the plaintiffs medical bills from the injury and multiplies that total by a number between 1.5 and 5. Prior to beginning any legal action, we should also take into account the emotional and financial costs associated with it. But many times, pain and suffering settlements are calculated using one of two formulas used by insurance companies. Pete just shrugged and said, "This is nothing." But just because we experience suffering as we await the redemption of our bodies, it doesnt mean that our suffering is random or without purpose. There are as many evils as things that are wanting: an evil, according to its intensity, gives rise to pain, sorrow, depression, disappointment and even desperation; it exists in dispersion but at the same time entails solidarity. According to another passage in Exodus, when a servants master knocked out his tooth by accident, the servant was allowed to go free. 1 answer; Social Studies; asked by Kaai97; 518 views; You corrected this sentence: Don't talk about me as ancient: Don't talk about me as if I'm ancient. Evil is sin and suffering, death. Compare 1 Peter 1:6-7 where the same Greek words are used along with the verb dokimazo which means, "put to the test," "prove by testing as with gold.". If a title is currently unavailable through Focus on the Family, we encourage you to use another retailer. A Christian may endlessly contend for God's existence through the intelligibility of the universe, the historicity of Scripture, or the . Lawsuits can be useful when a contract is in dispute. More ouch! The subjectiveness of the process underscores the importance of documenting any and all information pertaining to your case. Suffering has taught my friend the lesson of total, humble dependence on God. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, "This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an . Thus, suffering involves solidarity (cf. For I . To help support our reporting work, and to continue our ability to provide this content for free to our readers, we receive compensation from the companies that advertise on the Forbes Advisor site. *** b. a source of wealth to conquer in the name of one's ancestors. As the saying goes, Everything is legal, but not everything is profitable.. It must be someone who was in a position to be treating you. Suffering scoops us out, making our hearts bigger so that we can hold more love for Him. Many different cultures have their own interpretations of why people suffer. How Often Should You Take Communion According to The Bible? My husband once told me that heaven is more real to me than anyone he knows. Then . 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. Rhonda is an executive secretary earning $24 per hour. Suffering prepares us for more glory. | Irondale, AL 35210 |. They were persecuted, treated maliciously, and even killed. Calculating Pain and Suffering Can Be Complex. Thanks to the Greek language however, a distinction is made particularly in the New Testament between suffering and evil. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. Often times, yes. Sue Bohlin looks at suffering from a Christian perspective. I Believe This is especially true if you are a Christian. Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. It may well be about other people, preparing you to minister comfort and hope to someone in your future who will need what you can give them because of what you're going through right now. . In the end, God always judges our attitudes, and just because something is permissible doesnt mean its the right thing to do. One can thus realize and understand what would otherwise be an untenable paradox, scandal and folly: the Cross is glorious; having been the evil most feared as total death, it becomes the glorious beginning of the whole of the second creation. How to Ask for An Unspoken Prayer Request on Facebook? Almost everyone is living with some kind of pain. The assistance that families give their sick relatives is important in this area. He does not attempt to do so with the nebulous obscurity of myth but penetrates to the very core of the Christian faith. 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. To respond, the Pope leaves the areaof enigma and moves on to that of mystery. There is a statement in Deuteronomy 25:1 that states, When men have a dispute, they must take it to court, and the judges will decide the case, acquitting the innocent and condemning the guilty. Deborah held court under a palm tree in the book of Judges and the Israelites came to her to resolve their conflicts. Also, the Bible discusses the consequences of suing another Christian, so we can infer that there are negative consequences for doing so (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). And if you are faithful to cling to God now, I promise He will use you greatly to comfort others later." 4. 1:4) because we have experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit being there for us, walking alongside us in our pain. 17). We need to be reminded that we are living in "Plan B." Luke 14:31-32. It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.". This is a huge mistake. Oswald Chambers reminds us that "God has one destined end for mankindholiness. The problem of pain and suffering has perplexed humanity since the fall of man, and for good reason. National and International Religion Report, Vol. "5 The reality of God's power, His love, and His character are made very, very real to a watching world when we trust Him in our pain. In Exodus 21:18-19, money damages are allowed for wages lost and medical care (Exodus 21:18-19), for pain and suffering (Exodus 21:22), and for the permanent impairment of a body part (Exodus 21:27).. It is the paradox that returns to being logical through the Omnipotent Love of God the Father who is his Spirit, and whose effectiveness is to be found in the culmination of human history when he grants to us the close solidarity of all peoples in the Pasch of the Incarnate Word. Deep suffering of the soul is also a taste of hell. Christ himself is the One who was cared for, and the one who fell into the hands of bandits is cared for and helped. If a Christian refuses to have the matter resolved by the church or by a Christian, then you can take him to court if he refuses to resolve the matter through the church or by a Christian. Sometimes attorneys who cannot take a case themselves have a system in place to refer cases to other attorneys, sometimes for compensation. Ray and I lost our first baby when she was born too prematurely to survive. The Bible tells us that the world is at enmity with God and at enmity with Christians. I have overcome the world" ( John 16:33 ). 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. Are you sure you want to rest your choices? Losing heart is a great spiritual danger. Pain and suffering are subjective in nature. Attorneys experienced in personal injury law know how to present a lawsuit that results in negotiation instead of litigation. We find ourselves at the heart of the Christian mystery, inaccessible except through an experience of it: no one who does not know it can prove its efficacy or find its solution. Proverbs 25:8. 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. That's what suffering will do for us. It gets us closer to what we were created to becompletely dependent on God. Thus, human pain and suffering are transformed from something negative into something positive, into a source of life, as it were because they become redemptive. Jesus told His followers, "In this world you will have trouble. But Jesus said, I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In other types of cases you may need to file a lawsuit or have your attorney share the merits of your case with the person or company who harmed you before they will offer a settlement. One first needs to frame the enigma correctly and begin to seek its cause. I love this paraphrase of Romans 8:28: "The Lord may not have planned that this should overtake me, but He has most certainly permitted it. . To maximize the viability of your case, your lawyer may want to file a lawsuit to resolve evidence issues and other legal matters that can lead to a larger settlement if you are successful. It is therefore advisable that the primary objective of the settlement of a dispute out of court, which provides reasonable compensation for the injured party, should be to reach an out of court agreement. He notes from the outset that a misunderstanding of suffering can actually lead to the denial of God. Suffering prepares us to minister comfort to others who suffer. Common e xamples of emotional pain and suffering include: anxiety. Suffering is in our lives because we are living in a broken world. What happens when one Christian sues another Christian? Cardinal Barragn also visited several institutions connected with the Grunenthal Foundation for Palliative Care. The classic Scripture for the concept that suffering displays God's strength through our weakness is found in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, where we learn that God's grace is sufficient for us, for His power is perfected in weakness. I have been asked to expound on John Paul II's incomparable thinking on human pain. They had continued to suffer because of God's mercy and patience, who did not let them go before they received His gracious gift of salvation. Paul confronts that type of thinking when he writes, Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

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