ibid.,n. This is in addition to a separate amount covering the medical bills and lost work the plaintiff has as economic damages. 5 stars 7 reviews. 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. We can comfort others with the comfort that we have received from God (2 Cor. New York, meanwhile, has no caps on any damages, economic, non-economic or punitive. Special (pain and suffering) damages: $10,000 ($5,000 x 2) Total: $15,000. 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. There is no separation between the Resurrection and the Cross but convergence, both in Christ and in us; the Pope says, therefore, that Christ contains the signs of his wounds in his glorified Body. 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). 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 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. It can include: Physical pain. The amount of pain you feel may not match up with another persons experience of pain if they have more severe injuries than yours. 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. . Paul confronts that type of thinking when he writes, Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). 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. Something went wrong. In the end, God always judges our attitudes, and just because something is permissible doesnt mean its the right thing to do. Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 4:1718, This light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. A person should try to settle his claim before a lawsuit is filed. So often, people wonder what kind of cruel God would deliberately make a world so full of pain and suffering. While I Believe that the bible does not directly state that Christians Are to hold corporations and wrongdoers accountable on behalf of others, it is consistent with the focus on justice that scripture places on the law to hold that View. (5) Suffering is a Process. "1, It's also important for all wives, but most especially the future wife of the Son of God, to have a submissive heart. Here are five important biblical truths about suffering every Christian should have ready: Suffering has many faces. Should I sue them for my pain and suffering? (Suffering and the Sovereignty of God, 166). For example, if an individual's medical bills amounted to $50,000, the calculated pain and suffering for a 3X multiplier would peg damages at $150,000. I like something else Oswald Chambers wrote: "Sorrow burns up a great amount of shallowness."2. Once youve identified who is at fault for your pain and suffering, its time for some detective work. Jesus himself deeply disappointed . 1:4) because we have experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit being there for us, walking alongside us in our pain. depression. 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. 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. The problem is especially difficult when it comes to the question of whether christians can bring lawsuits against others for personal injury. One morning I learned that his car had died on the way to church, and I said something about what a bummer it was. You can transform our nation one family at a time! There is no such thing as pointless pain in the life of the child of God. 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. Suffering often develops compassion and mercy in us. A Christian who is directed to abandon any legal action by God must do so willingly in order to follow His direction. Pastor Jack Hibbs explores answers to these questions. They were persecuted, treated maliciously, and even killed. Applying a biblical worldview to this difficult subject results in a distinctly different approach to suffering than our natural inclination of blame and self pity. But how? 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? Like Mary in the example above, your pain and suffering may consist mostly of economic losses such as: Cost of medical care It prepares us for heaven by teaching us how unfulfilling life on earth is and helping us develop an eternal perspective. 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. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. This gift of solidarity is the meaning of the Incarnation and the meaning of Jesus Christ. Economic Losses. Related Topics: Discipleship, Discipline, Sanctification, Spiritual Formation, Spiritual Life, Suffering, Trials, Persecution, Women's Articles, Sue Bohlin is a speaker/writer and webservant for Probe Ministries, a Christian organization that helps people to think biblically. 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. We would suggest that its best to begin by seeking mediation or arbitration. 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. ", God never wastes suffering, not a scrap of it. Ray and I lost our first baby when she was born too prematurely to survive. What happens when one Christian sues another Christian? How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the valleys of suffering and pain! As for evil, it is a deprivation; it has no positive value in . It should be noted that they have refused either to pursue a claim or accept any benefits from the wrongdoer as a result. More ouch! And neither does it mean that Scripture doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now. Life Insurance Attorney in Philadelphia, PA. Suffering has done that for me. 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. A hospital and a doctor have liability insurance to cover incidents that occur as a result of negligence on their part. . Christ provides an answer to the problem of suffering by offering his unreserved availability and compassion; his presence is effective: he gives help and gives himself (cf. ibid.,n. 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). Judges 4:5. 2008 Ron Blue. All forms of pain and suffering that can be assigned a dollar value counts as economic loss. Suffering teaches us the difference between the important and the transient. Suffering scoops us out, making our hearts bigger so that we can hold more love for Him. He was completely dependent on the Father, choosing to become weak so that God's strength could shine through Him. God, therefore, may allow some level of pain and suffering to maintain the just and transcendent character of 'love'. The Holy Father tells us that in Old Testament biblical language, suffering and evil are at first identified with each other. The one thing you should, however, do before making a decision is stop and ask yourself: Is what I think based on the Bible? The comfort of those who have known that same pain is inexpressible. The Bible speaks of suing and the importance of seeking justice (1 Timothy 6:7), but it does not specifically address this issue. He redeems all of it for His glory and our blessing. Jesus endured all that suffering as an innocent man. 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. Answer. or the next hour . Christian K. Lassen II View Profile . For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.. When doctors said he would probably lose the sight in his right eye, Mr. Norfleet said, "Losing an eye is a small thing. Whatever brings you closer to God is a blessing. Suffering produces growth and maturity (James 1:2-4). He goes on to say: Rather, the disputed matter should be arbitrated or judged by a wise Christian or Christians. Nevertheless, before suing anyone, including entities, Christians should ensure that the reasons for initiating the lawsuits are legitimate, lawful, biblical, and moral before they initiate the lawsuit. We see this biblical truth illustrated through the persecuted church. Lets say a Christian contractor performed work on a brother Christians house, but the brother refused to pay. Suffering makes us more determined to obey God; it teaches us to be submissive. . Our primary objective, however, should be to resolve the matter without bringing a lawsuit to court. Joni Eareckson Tada, When Is It Right to Die? Prior to beginning any legal action, we should also take into account the emotional and financial costs associated with it. This amount is separate from lost wages and other medical expenses, such as x-rays, medications, and hospital visits. 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. 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. Generally, you must have evidence, like medical testimony, to prove your pain and suffering resulted from the accident you are claiming. . Deep suffering of the soul is also a taste of hell. Many Christians only know they're saved without grasping what it is Christ has delivered them from. The meaning of suffering is to do good by one's suffering and to do good to those who suffer (cf, ibid.,n.30). Suffering makes us homesick for heaven. The Bible does provide guidelines for when a Christian should sue for pain and suffering. . Not being judged is a great comfort to those who hurt. Thus, suffering involves solidarity (cf. 2010 Focus on the Family. Oswald Chambers, Our Utmost for His Highest, September 1. 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. The Gospel According to Matthew described the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness as a temptation to worldly power. Paul means that the court system exists for matters of this life that are outside the church. The Forbes Advisor editorial team is independent and objective. His one aim is the production of saints. Those who suffer tend to have tender hearts toward others who are in pain. I've been in your shoes." Reading Time: 8 minutes By Mark W. Hamilton The Bible helps us answer the question. Our understanding of the inevitability of suffering does not mean that we should regard it with complacency. Lewis seemed to have a good grasp on this. but God is everything. Joni Eareckson Tada, no stranger to great suffering, writes, "Whether a godly attitude shines from a brain-injured college student or from a lonely man relegated to a back bedroom, the response of patience and perseverance counts. 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 . 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. ibid., n. 9). That means the defendant must have: Owed a duty to you; Emotional and psychological trauma such as insomnia, fear, depressed mood, and anxiety. She loves teaching women and laughing, and if those two can be combined, all the better. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The pain and suffering amount should be fair and just in the light of the evidence. Suffering is a product of the fall, a consequence of human sin against God (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21). All Christians suffer. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. I think that the more important question should be, Am I bringing glory to God? If you are not sure if your decision is the best one, then ask a trusted Christian friend or family member who has known you for a long time. Article contributed by Probe Ministries
If this doesnt work, and if a lawsuit seems warranted, you should get the counsel of a Christian attorney who is in a position to supplement his legal expertise with wisdom drawn from the Bible. Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Pain is inevitable; none of us is able to opt out of it. 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. Sue wasn't too sure she wanted to talk to anybody about her life, let alone a . In a lawsuit for personal injury, there are two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages. Only by experiencing the mystery can we penetrate it with our minds. For Christians, it is important to have a Biblical view of why God allows suffering and how we are to go through it. The simple answer is yessometimes. 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. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. It is called "cross" and "resurrection". 12). Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. 12:6). Suffering can make us long for the new heaven and the new earth where God will set all things right again. Suffering gives rise to love for those who suffer, a disinterested love to help them by relieving it. Only God can bestow this solidarity upon us. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. Since it originates in privation, the inevitable question is: "Why did this deprivation occur, what is its cause?". Serve the defendants notice of your lawsuit. Paul writes, "We know that all things work . C.S. 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. Suffering is abnormalour souls protest, "This isn't right!" You want to find an attorney who knows the jurisdiction in which your lawsuit will be filed and understands insurance laws and damages caps. . Following a car accident, plaintiffs can generally sue for monetary damages (such as medical bills, medications, assistive technology, and lost wages), as well as for non-monetary damages, like pain and suffering, which includes . We are forced to depend on the intercession of the Holy Spirit and the saints, needing them to go before the throne of God on our behalf. Types of Pain and Suffering Claims. If you can see the purpose behind the pain, you can find the way out of this lie. This is the heart of Christianity. The Bible doesnt whitewash our experience of suffering by saying that its all of one stripe. 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. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. Some Christians seek to dodge the problem by imagining that suffering always marks the presence [] Christians suffer for a variety of reasons, including many of the same . Take along one or two other people with you if he wont listen to you. Physical pain and suffering refer to the damages related to physical pain that an injured person endures from an injury or accident. Those who have suffered tend not to judge others experiencing similar suffering. As a matter of fact, they are ordained by God himself. We do not offer financial advice, advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise individuals or to buy or sell particular stocks or securities. How does the Christian respond biblically? I got truth from studying, but I got to know the Savior through suffering. Both women are out of work for a month before being released from a doctor's care. 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). If your car being totaled resulted in a more catastrophic physical injury, it is likely that your settlement will be larger because of that even if pain and suffering is not explicitly mentioned. Pain and suffering is something that cannot be easily quantified, making it difficult to prove. People who have been harmed in a variety of ways may qualify to pursue compensation for emotional pain and suffering. Suffering is a passive or active attitude to evil, or rather, to the lackof a good that it would be desirable to possess(cf. Tada, 118. When someone is injured by another person or business, there are two ways to approach the situation: suing or forgiving. 1. It's difficult to put a value on a person's mental and emotional well-being because it's purely subjective. 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. And what is the link between experiencing suffering and equipping for ministry? The mystery of suffering is contained in the mystery of Love, in the mystery of the Spirit. 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. Suffering prepares us to minister comfort to others who suffer. If God didn't make it painful, we'd never let go of it." We all experience pain, and even suffering at some time in our lives. 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). The book of Job shows us there can be two ways to respond to suffering: one that curses God because of suffering and one that praises God, even in the midst of suffering (Job 2:910). 8). This is why the mystery of pain shifts from pain in itself to the mystery of solidarity. With the Cross, he overcomes sin, and with his Resurrection, death (Jn 3:16; cf. Depending on the facts of the case and what method is used to calculate damages, pain and suffering will make up some . There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ( Revelation 21:4 ). There is nothing in Scripture that would prohibit you from defending yourself in this way. Losing heart is a great spiritual danger. Thus, John Paul II leads us to scrutinize the meaning of human suffering in a mysterious and dazzling way, and which is also the only valid perspective; at last, the enigma becomes mystery. The expense in terms of time, money and emotional outlay usually offsets any potential financial gain that might be expected from the case. Sometimes suffering literally prepares us for heaven. 14). Less serious injuries still can bring large settlements depending on the length of hospitalization, physical therapy, and counseling that is involved. This article is also available in Spanish. ibid.,n. There is no easy answer to this question. God warned Adam that eating the forbidden fruit would result in death ( Gen 2 ). How Often Should You Take Communion According to The Bible. 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?". 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Gives rise to love for Him lets say a Christian who is directed to abandon any legal,. Medical expenses, such as x-rays, medications, and hospital visits this of!