Ouch! The meaning of suffering is to do good by one's suffering and to do good to those who suffer (cf, ibid.,n.30). 1. Some of the most committed christians i have encountered have been injured as a result of someone elses fault. Getting rid of wrinkles is even more painful: ironing means a combination of heat plus pressure. 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. Deprivation does not demand a positive cause but the search for its origin. Suffering is that which proves one's character and integrity along with both the object and quality of one's faith. 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. The hosts in heaven stand amazed when they observe God sustain hurting people with His peace."4. The Lord Jesus has a big job to do, changing His ragamuffin church into a glorious bride worthy of the Lamb. grief. *** b. a source of wealth to conquer in the name of one's ancestors. One of the most incredibly comforting things we can ever experience is someone else's tears for us. The Gospel According to Matthew described the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness as a temptation to worldly power. Almost everyone is living with some kind of pain. Each of these are different ways that we can suffer, and when suffering comes, often several of these types of suffering are involved. Suffering is a passive or active attitude to evil, or rather, to the lackof a good that it would be desirable to possess(cf. If you can see the purpose behind the pain, you can find the way out of this lie. Claims Amount = $2,000 + $300 X [1.5 to 5%] For a serious debilitating injury, like a disfigurement or brain damage, your claim is estimated to be in the range of $11,500.00 to $23,000.00. . 1:4) because we have experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit being there for us, walking alongside us in our pain. Among the many reasons God allows us to suffer, this is my personal favorite: it prepares us to be the radiant bride of Christ. 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. You may think that suing for pain and suffering will help pay some of these billsbut if your goal is actually helping another person in need (and thus following Gods command), then perhaps there are other ways that you could stretch your finances further in order to assist them with their needs or show mercy through giving charity rather than demanding payment for wrongdoing after receiving justice according*to Biblical principles.*. Suffering Allows Us to Minister. Jesus endured all that suffering as an innocent man. There are a variety of injuries that can result in pain and suffering settlements. Types of Pain and Suffering Claims. 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. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! Only by living the mystery of Christian suffering can we get an idea of what suffering means and, as the Pope said previously, transcend it and overcome it. People who have been harmed in a variety of ways may qualify to pursue compensation for emotional pain and suffering. After hearing their testimonies, few would deny that suffering produces beauty and maturity of spirit. 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. When you use bleach to get rid of stains, it's a harsh process. But many times, pain and suffering settlements are calculated using one of two formulas used by insurance companies. She also loves speaking for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) and Stonecroft Min More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. 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. . After many sleepless nights wracked by various kinds of pain, my friend Jan now knows what she was saved from. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. That's what suffering will do for us. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. It is far from easy to define the cause of suffering or of the evil connected with it. Ever since the fall of Adam, we keep forgetting that God created us to depend on Him and not on ourselves. All Christians suffer. Can I sue for emotional distress after car accident? Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 1:4 that God comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.. It was the most horrible suffering we've ever known. In Exodus 21:18-19, money damages were allowed for lost wages and medical care, Exodus 21:22 showed damages for pain and suffering, and Exodus 21:27 allowed for permanent disability to a body part. Therefore, it is not unbiblical for Christians to sue corporations in order to make them meet their legal obligations as they are required to do by law. Both women are out of work for a month before being released from a doctor's care. Being cut off from good is an evil. 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. 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?". Jan's suffering has given her an appreciation of the reality of heaven, and she's . Suffering is a result of the fall. Money damages are allowed for lost wages and medical care (Exodus 21:18-19), pain and suffering (Exodus 21:22), and for a permanent disability to a body part (Exodus 21:27). Suffering is a product of the fall, a consequence of human sin against God (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21). Thus, suffering involves solidarity (cf. . 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. A Christian Understanding of Pain and Suffering, The Thinking and Theology of John Paul II. Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. 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 . I have been asked to expound on John Paul II's incomparable thinking on human pain. Has Focus on the Family helped you or your family? If you need additional assistance, dont hesitate to give our staff a call. In the end, God always judges our attitudes, and just because something is permissible doesnt mean its the right thing to do. It is a core part of the Christian vocation to seek to relieve the suffering of others. God says a lot about suffering in Scripture so that you know where to look when the pain comes to you. 8). How Often Should You Take Communion According to The Bible? Pastor Dick Bacon once said, "If this life were easy, we'd just love it too much. And He was the strongest person the world has ever seen. But Jesus said, I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. Mental Pain and Suffering. Resources This means that you cannot sue for pain and suffering damages under workers' compensation. Anywhere between $1 million to $1.5 million for failure to diagnose cancer and other terminal diseases in medical malpractice cases; and. Saving all evidence such as medical bills and other expenses associated with the injury is imperative. The reason is because the standards, values, philosophies and culture of the world are opposed to Biblical values. ibid.,n. 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. The nature of the injury can play a large role in dictating the amount of money in a pain and suffering settlement. Prior to filing a lawsuit, a person should attempt to settle his claim before he files a lawsuit. An eternal God provides humans with an existence beyond the grave. He wanted them to grow in trust and dependence on the Father. 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. One wise man I heard said, "I got theology in seminary, but I learned reality through trials. 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. Reveal number tel: (855) 637-2987 . ibid.,n. We get to the point of saying, "Lord, I can only make it through today if You help me . I have overcome the world" ( John 16:33 ). The number the economic damages are multiplied by will be lower for milder injuries, such as a bruised rib. Adapted from Complete Guide to Faith-Based Family Finances by Ron Blue. All rights reserved. Sally makes $10 per hour at a fast-food restaurant. Suffering reminds us that we live in an abnormal world. I know the Bible says Christians should not sue Christians, but is it okay to sue non-Christians? 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. . This is why the mystery of pain shifts from pain in itself to the mystery of solidarity. Although it is a little imperfect, attorneys will calculate pain and suffering at 1.5 - 4 times the amount of actual damages (costs of the injury / treatment). There is nothing in Scripture that would prohibit you from defending yourself in this way. In addition to physical pain, plaintiffs can recover for the permanent physical . 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. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain, you will understand God's ability to leverage the suffering in your . We need to be reminded that we are living in "Plan B." Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. or the next hour . The apostle Paul wrote, We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:89). The definition is vague, but the law allows you to file an insurance claim for pain and suffering compensation. Either you have, you are, or you will through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22). Medical malpractice is alarmingly common in the United States. The Pope thus situates us in the heart of the mystery whose light dazzles us. Being cut off from good is an evil. This amount is separate from lost wages and other medical expenses, such as x-rays, medications, and hospital visits. A Christian may endlessly contend for God's existence through the intelligibility of the universe, the historicity of Scripture, or the . As a matter of fact, they are ordained by God himself. The mystery of suffering is contained in the mystery of Love, in the mystery of the Spirit. We usually don't have much trouble understanding that our Divine Bridegroom loves us; but we can easily forget how much He longs for us to love Him back. God warned Adam that eating the forbidden fruit would result in death ( Gen 2 ). The Pope enables us to penetrate into Revelation in order to move on to ascension in the mystery. ibid., n. 9). Today the existence of evil still looms as perhaps the largest objection to the Christian faith. Jesus told His followers, "In this world you will have trouble. 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 does not attempt to do so with the nebulous obscurity of myth but penetrates to the very core of the Christian faith. Insurance companies typically limit what they pay in accordance with policy limits, but your lawyer may be able to reference your car being totaled when arguing for a pain and suffering settlement. But not always. 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. But God brings suffering in our lives for the sake of our eternal joy yes, even glory. Prior to filing a lawsuit, a person should attempt to settle his claim before he . 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. God is teaching other beings about Himself and His loved onesusas He did with Job. And neither does it mean that Scripture doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now. May pain and suffering be transformed into a source of strength for all humanity. 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. Luke 14:31-32. Lets say a Christian contractor performed work on a brother Christians house, but the brother refused to pay. Can a person sue for pain and suffering? . feelings of alienation. I Believe This is especially true if you are a Christian. Pain and suffering is the result of personal injury caused by another person or company. Less serious injuries still can bring large settlements depending on the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, and counseling that is involved. Matthew 5:41-42 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Taking this advice is wise, since lawsuits can rob us of our peace of mind (Proverbs 29:9). 28). This includes being charitable towards those who have wronged us or caused harm. Three topics, among others, that the Pope addresses in his Apostolic Letter Salvifici Doloris with regard to suffering as a mystery are: "evil and suffering", "Christ takes on suffering", and "the value of human suffering". L'Osservatore Romano is the newspaper of the Holy See. We would suggest that its best to begin by seeking mediation or arbitration. 3 attorney answers. 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. substance abuse. They were persecuted, treated maliciously, and even killed. In this way we are within the nucleus of salvation. Suffering often develops compassion and mercy in us. The life of God is infinitely perfect in each one of the divine Persons through the internal solidarity between the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The origin of the privation is sin. What you are experiencing from God, you can give away in increasing measure to others. Pope John Paul II states: "Suffering is something which is still wider than sickness", because there is a "distinction between physical suffering and moral suffering" (Salvifici Doloris, n. 5). As for evil, it is a deprivation; it has no positive value in itself and therefore cannot be a positive cause or principle, for its origin is a mere privation. 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. But what about lawsuits between Christians and non-Christians? I am not aware of any biblical restrictions regarding the right of a person to sue a corporation. That means the defendant must have: Owed a duty to you; Lawyer directory. Mediation or arbitration through the church or a professional arbiter offer pathways to reconciliation that seem far more compatible with the principles Jesus lays down in Matthew 18:15-20. post-traumatic stress disorder. Suffering makes us more determined to obey God; it teaches us to be submissive. My husband once told me that heaven is more real to me than anyone he knows. Suffering is in our lives because we are living in a broken world. The pain and suffering amount should be fair and just in the light of the evidence. Adrian Rogers Love Worth Finding. 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. Trials are nothing . Suffering brings a "one day at a time-ness" to our survival. Of any Biblical restrictions regarding the right of a person to sue non-Christians to! And counseling that is involved but penetrates to the mystery of love, in the mystery of love in! Regarding the right of a person to sue a corporation mean its right. 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