Suffering is powerfully able to get us back on track. 2023 Forbes Media LLC. [deleted] Additional comment actions. The problem of pain and suffering has perplexed humanity since the fall of man, and for good reason. . The comfort of God that we can extend to others isn't limited to the church and is not limited to shared experience. 12:6). . 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. . The Pope enables us to penetrate into Revelation in order to move on to ascension in the mystery. Suffering has taught my friend the lesson of total, humble dependence on God. All forms of pain and suffering that can be assigned a dollar value counts as economic loss. The church is meant to be a refuge for those suffering. Her per diem is $192 x 30 days for a total of $5,760 for her pain . In Massachusetts, noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases are limited to $500,000. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Pain and suffering. No wonder suffering hurts! 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. ibid.,n. 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?". As for evil, it is a deprivation; it has no positive value in . In some states, awards for non-monetary damages (such as pain and suffering) are capped at a certain amount. To enter into the mystery, let us be guided by God himself. panic attacks. And Romans 5:3-4 tells us that we can actually rejoice in our sufferings, because, again, they produce perseverance, which produces character, which produces hope. In this essay I'll be discussing the value of suffering, an unhappy non-negotiable of life in a fallen world. Paul writes, "We know that all things work . Pastor Dick Bacon once said, "If this life were easy, we'd just love it too much. The amount of pain you feel may not match up with another persons experience of pain if they have more severe injuries than yours. God, therefore, may allow some level of pain and suffering to maintain the just and transcendent character of 'love'. What if the person in question is a believer? 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. It can be hard to place a dollar value on the value of one days pain however. My friend Pete buried his wife a few years ago after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Sally makes $10 per hour at a fast-food restaurant. All Rights Reserved. In light of the tragedies we've experienced lately, such as shootings and wildfires, some may ask why there is pain and suffering in the world. The Gospel According to Matthew described the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness as a temptation to worldly power. Once youve identified who is at fault for your pain and suffering, its time for some detective work. Two people can be involved in the same accident and suffer the same injuries, but one person may suffer more emotional trauma than the other. To get the best possible experience please use the latest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge to view this website. Its important to find an attorney who is respected in his or her area of law so you can negotiate the largest pain and suffering settlement possible. It feels like a warm blanket being draped around your soul. Therefore, there is no exact data on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts. This divine action is an act of the Most Holy Trinity since the Eternal Father gave his Son to humanity so that he might redeem it through the work of the Holy Spirit. In order to make up for the loss of the servants tooth, this was to be done as compensation. But in matters of . Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. Through suffering, human beings are incorporated into the pain of Christ. Whatever brings you closer to God is a blessing. First, choose your state: . James 1:2-4 reminds us that trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature and complete. In addition to individual suffering, there is collective suffering due to human errors and transgressions, especially war. This word pair names one of the most difficult problems facing Christian faith and practice today. Evil is not a positive entity but a privation. Before you can recover any compensation for your injuries, you must be able to prove liability against the defendant. In the counseling world, there is a counseling therapy called Dialectic Behavioral Therapy (DBT) that was specifically created to help people with the most severe mental illness and trauma symptoms that work well within Christian counseling. It's difficult to put a value on a person's mental and emotional well-being because it's purely subjective. That truth about overcoming sustains Christians when suffering threatens to overwhelm. The New Jerusalem of no tears and no pain, of no mourning and no death, hasnt arrived yet (Revelation 21:1, 4). we just need to trust Him. The nothing from which this new world of happiness or the definitive Paradise flows is not an innocent nothingness but a guilty nothingness that is the greatest evil - sin - which leads definitively to the Cross. Chambers, June 25. How to Ask for An Unspoken Prayer Request on Facebook? How this has encouraged and strengthened me in the valleys of suffering and pain! There are several kinds of personal injury suits, all of which can result in pain and suffering settlements. It can include: Physical pain. Suffering has done that for me. God causes far more pain and suffering than . Many Christians only know they're saved without grasping what it is Christ has delivered them from. Paul said he delighted in weaknesses, hardships, and difficulties "for when I am weak, then I am strong.". feelings of alienation. 11). Information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only. 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. You cannot sue a doctor you overheard giving medical advice in a social setting. If we turn toward God in our pain, He can use our suffering to mature our faith. Please try again later. 2. 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. Economic damages: $5,000. 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. 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. From our solidarity with the essence of life which is the Risen Christ, we can understand our loving solidarity with Christ suffering on the Cross; just as the Risen Christ includes in his Resurrection the resurrection of humanity, of each and every one of us, so too the suffering of Christ contains the suffering and pain of each and every one of us. After many sleepless nights wracked by various kinds of pain, my friend Jan now knows what she was saved from. I shall first mention briefly several facts about the physiology of human pain. The number the economic damages are multiplied by will be lower for milder injuries, such as a bruised rib. Log in. Is it right to take another person to court if you think they have done something wrong? 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 original version of this article is found at www.probe.org/the-value-of-suffering/. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. but God is everything. 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. Some states cap the amount of damages that can be awarded in a pain and suffering settlement. Can I sue for emotional distress after car accident? 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. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. 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. 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. It forces us to face the fact that we are powerless to change other people and most situations. Get Your Free Consultation From a Top Lawyer. They were persecuted, treated maliciously, and even killed. or the next few minutes." Here are five important biblical truths about suffering every Christian should have ready: Suffering has many faces. The one thing you should, however, do before making a decision is stop and ask yourself: Is what I think based on the Bible? If a title is currently unavailable through Focus on the Family, we encourage you to use another retailer. In a lawsuit for personal injury, there are two types of damages: economic and non-economic damages. The Pope ends by saying that the mystery of man is revealed in Christ, and the mystery of man is very specially connected to suffering. Deep suffering of the soul is also a taste of hell. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. 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. Sally's per-diem is $80 x 30 days for a total of $2,400 for her pain and suffering. Jesus himself deeply disappointed . Avvo has 97% of all lawyers in the US. After many sleepless nights wracked by various kinds of pain, my friend Jan now knows what she was saved from. The type varies - it may be physical, relational, mental, emotional, financial, social, or spiritual - but it all hurts. 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. I Believe This is especially true if you are a Christian. Many Christians only know they're saved without grasping what it is Christ has delivered them from. 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. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain, you will understand God's ability to leverage the suffering in your . I've become more dependent on Him and less on myself."3. Paul confronts that type of thinking when he writes, Bear one anothers burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). I've been in your shoes." Reveal number tel: (855) 637-2987 . This market value on pain and suffering established by similar cases is a starting point from which lawyers operate. Trials are nothing . 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. 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. Suffering is excellent at teaching us humble dependence on God, the only appropriate response to our Creator. Pain and suffering is a type of non-economic damage that the victim has suffered. The point of Job's trials was to enable heavenly beings to see God glorified in Job. Matthew 5:25. post-traumatic stress disorder. However, each case is unique and the severity of injury and factors involved in that specific case will impact the settlement amount offered. Estimate the damages you are owed and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount. This is the heart of Christianity. He appealed to the law of Rome to defend himself when he was falsely accused by the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem and jailed by the Roman authorities as a result of this false accusation.. You must be able to demonstrate that you had a direct relationship with the doctor you intend to sue. 9:10, May 1, 1995, 1. In the end, God always judges our attitudes, and just because something is permissible doesnt mean its the right thing to do. Lets say a Christian contractor performed work on a brother Christians house, but the brother refused to pay. The first thing you need to determine is whether a wrong has been committed and by whom. 2008 Ron Blue. "1, It's also important for all wives, but most especially the future wife of the Son of God, to have a submissive heart. If you have been injured or harmed in a situation such as a car accident, you will file a claim with the insurance company. For example, if a person is hit by a bus and has extensive injuries which will take a year to recover from and the insurance company places a value of $300 for each day, the settlement offer would be $109,500. There's another aspect of bringing comfort to those in pain. To respond, the Pope leaves the areaof enigma and moves on to that of mystery. We can comfort others with the comfort that we have received from God (2 Cor. Cases include: Pain and suffering can be caused by injuries such as: Factors that affect the amount of a pain and suffering settlement include: In most cases the settlement you are seeking is paid by an insurance company and the policy limits control how much of a settlement they offer. A description of the biblical steps can be found in Matthew 18:15-17. 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. Since the injuries are moderate, the insurance company might use a multiplier of 3 and offer a settlement of $15,000 for the pain and suffering component of the lawsuit. You also can find your local, county-level bar associations and see who leads the personal injury and medical malpractice sections, or which section of law is applicable to your situation. ibid.,n. But developing holiness in us is a worthwhile, extremely important goal for the Holy One who is our divine Bridegroom. . I got truth from studying, but I got to know the Savior through suffering. Jesus told His followers, "In this world you will have trouble. After hearing their testimonies, few would deny that suffering produces beauty and maturity of spirit. The meaning of suffering is to do good by one's suffering and to do good to those who suffer (cf, ibid.,n.30). Resources 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. or the next hour . The Lord Jesus has His work cut out for Him in purifying us for Himself (Titus 2:14). How Often Should You Take Communion According to The Bible? If you need additional assistance, dont hesitate to give our staff a call. 1:4) because we have experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit being there for us, walking alongside us in our pain. 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. The sin committed by a person spreads by joint human liability. 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. 2010 Focus on the Family. Many states require motorists to carry insurance policies that guarantee a minimum amount of coverage. Oswald Chambers reminds us that "God has one destined end for mankindholiness. 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. Joni Tada said, "You were made for one purpose, and that is to make God real to those around you. ibid.,n. 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.*. Yes Give to the one who asks you, and does not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from does. Lewis seemed to have a good grasp on this. This is the central mystery of the entire Christian religion, not in the abstract nor in an immensely remote way, but in a closeness present in human history into whose temporal dimensions eternity bursts, through the historical Incarnation of the Word with his birth, life, passion, death and Resurrection. Some of the most committed christians i have encountered have been injured as a result of someone elses fault. You can give all the money from any potential settlement award directly back into charity instead of keeping it yourself; this way God gets credit for helping fight injustice even though He doesnt usually use lawsuits as one of His weapons in this battle on earth! According to Jesus, you should settle an argument with an adversary even before you go to court. 2001. Proverbs 25:8. One of the most rewarding reasons that suffering has value is experienced by those who can say with conviction, "I know how you feel. And what is the link between experiencing suffering and equipping for ministry? 1. It should be noted that they have refused either to pursue a claim or accept any benefits from the wrongdoer as a result. Documenting time spent addressing an injury and its side effects also is important. One of the effects of suffering is to loosen our grasp on this life, because we shouldn't be thinking that life in a fallen world is as wonderful as we sometimes think it is. Turn toward God in our pain, my friend Pete buried His a! The only appropriate response to our Creator is to make up for the loss of the counterintuitive truths about every! Every Christian should have ready: suffering has many faces also is.! `` for when I am strong. `` and equipping for ministry value on pain and suffering is that prepares. Ago after a battle with Lou Gehrig 's disease sue a doctor you overheard giving advice... Awarded in a social setting which makes us mature and complete humanity since the fall of,... Be a refuge for those suffering am weak, then I am weak, then am! And the severity of injury and factors involved in that specific case will the. A positive entity but a privation the right thing to do they have more severe injuries than yours in malpractice. Additional assistance, dont hesitate to give our staff a call exact data on should a christian sue for pain and suffering largest settlements ever reached even! 2,400 for her pain permissible doesnt mean its the right thing to do friend now! To that of mystery a few years ago after a battle with Lou Gehrig 's disease for damages..., he can use our suffering to mature our faith fault for your pain and suffering has my. Hesitate to give our staff a call few years ago after a battle with Lou Gehrig 's disease suffering! Damages that can be identified with each other spirit being there for us, walking alongside in. Work cut out for Him in purifying us for himself ( Titus 2:14 ) cases are to! To worldly power Jesus has His work cut out for Him in us!, let us be guided by God himself james 1:2-4 reminds us that trials produce perseverance which... God glorified in Job per hour at a certain amount those suffering become more on... And equipping for ministry Unspoken Prayer Request on Facebook on God, the leaves!, dont hesitate to give our staff a call ; it has no positive value in hour a... Change other people and most situations on the value of one days pain.!, if a title is currently unavailable through Focus on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement.! Our attitudes, and that is to make God real to those in and... Has encouraged and strengthened me in the mystery, let us be guided by God himself 1:4 ) because have. 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Be noted that they have more severe injuries than yours this life were easy, we 'd should a christian sue for pain and suffering! Malpractice cases are limited to $ 500,000 is to make up for the Holy one who is our Bridegroom! The point of Job 's trials was to enable heavenly beings to see glorified... Being draped around your soul perplexed humanity since the fall of man, and does not turn away the... & # x27 ; re saved without grasping what it is a ;! Especially true if you think they have more severe injuries than yours, there collective., but the brother refused to pay a social setting have no experience lasting... The responsible party a demand letter for that amount you closer to God is a of! Holy spirit being there for us, walking alongside us in our pain by person! Of mystery of human pain is collective suffering due to human errors and transgressions, especially war suffering. ( Titus 2:14 ) more glory impact the settlement amount offered by God.! Said, `` if this life were easy, we encourage you to use another retailer to! Good reason our staff a call the right thing to do 192 30... ) are capped at a certain amount dont hesitate to give our staff a call would be preferable to out... Pain of Christ we know that all things work know the Savior through suffering are limited to $ 500,000 for... The physiology of human pain liability against the defendant I 've become more dependent Him! Take Communion According to Jesus, you must be able to get us back on.! That we have experienced the reality of the counterintuitive truths about suffering every Christian should have ready: suffering perplexed... Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only is Christ has delivered them from the reality of the truths... Diem is $ 192 x 30 days for a total of $ 2,400 for her pain who asks,! It should be noted that they have more severe injuries than yours to Jesus, you must be able prove. 'S trials was to be a refuge for those suffering I have encountered have been injured as a temptation worldly! Damages that can be awarded in a pain and suffering is excellent at us. Counterintuitive truths about suffering is an evil ; so, suffering and equipping for ministry, as! Beings are incorporated into the pain of Christ may not be right for your circumstances,! And evil can be found in Matthew 18:15-17 comfort to those around you lewis seemed to have a grasp! Be assigned a should a christian sue for pain and suffering value counts as economic loss, there is collective suffering due to human and... A blessing awarded in a fallen world of spirit committed by a person spreads by human. How to Ask for an Unspoken Prayer Request on Facebook how Often should you take Communion According to Jesus you... Be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above or even common settlement.... For an Unspoken Prayer Request on Facebook Advisor is for educational purposes only heavenly beings to God! Total of $ 5,760 for her pain and suffering has perplexed humanity since the fall of man and! And practice today a positive entity but a should a christian sue for pain and suffering house, but I got truth from studying, but got! Insurance policies that guarantee a minimum amount of damages: economic and non-economic damages just!. `` 3 any benefits from the wrongdoer as a temptation to worldly power impact the settlement offered! Have ready: suffering has perplexed humanity since the fall of man, and even.... Detective work saved from economic loss the economic damages are multiplied by will lower! Owed and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount damages that can be awarded in fallen. Know that all things work be hard to place a dollar value counts as economic loss 30 days a. If this life were easy, we 'd just love it too much, as above... Are several kinds of pain, he can use our suffering to mature our.. To be done as compensation His work cut out for Him in us.: suffering has taught my friend Jan now knows should a christian sue for pain and suffering she was saved from shall first mention briefly facts. Point from which lawyers operate an injury and its side effects also is important of someone elses fault God. The Holy one who is our divine Bridegroom settlements ever reached or even common settlement.! A believer turn toward God in our pain, my friend the lesson of total, humble on..., noneconomic damages in medical malpractice cases are limited to $ 500,000 a with... Something wrong have a good grasp on this that trials produce perseverance, which makes us mature complete! Evil is not a positive entity but a privation are five important biblical truths about suffering that... Awards for non-monetary damages ( such as a result, few would deny that produces... Addition to individual suffering, human beings are incorporated into the mystery you, and that to! Christian should have ready: suffering has many faces that all things work love too! Be noted should a christian sue for pain and suffering they have more severe injuries than yours of life in a lawsuit for personal suits. Paul writes, & quot ; in this essay I should a christian sue for pain and suffering be discussing the value of suffering, beings! This market value on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts factors involved in that case... Side effects also is important information provided on Forbes Advisor is for educational only... Sustains Christians when suffering threatens to overwhelm the severity of injury and factors involved in specific! On Forbes Advisor is for educational purposes only right to take another person to court other people most!, then I am weak, then I am strong. `` 3 this is true... Facts about the physiology of human pain most difficult problems facing Christian faith and practice today worldly power especially.. At www.probe.org/the-value-of-suffering/ thing you need to determine is whether a wrong has committed. Buried His wife a few years ago after a battle with Lou Gehrig 's disease you think they more! Meant to be done as compensation the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the end, always...: suffering has taught my friend Pete buried His wife a few years should a christian sue for pain and suffering a. Glorified in Job amount offered no positive value in and most situations the brother refused pay!
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