substance abuse. Our understanding of the inevitability of suffering does not mean that we should regard it with complacency. 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. ", Sometimes our suffering isn't a consequence of our actions or even someone else's. This is a huge mistake. Taking this advice is wise, since lawsuits can rob us of our peace of mind (Proverbs 29:9). The comfort of those who have known that same pain is inexpressible. He does know what He's doing . Pain and suffering can can be a blessing. Proverbs 25:8. Your email address will not be published. We get to the point of saying, "Lord, I can only make it through today if You help me . ibid.,n. 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. The reason His strength can shine through us is because we know God better through suffering. Depending on the facts of the case and what method is used to calculate damages, pain and suffering will make up some . 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. With the peace of Christ upon our hearts, let us love our neighbors in their suffering. It's difficult to put a value on a person's mental and emotional well-being because it's purely subjective. The Holy Father tells us that in Old Testament biblical language, suffering and evil are at first identified with each other. feelings of alienation. 4. The Pope thus situates us in the heart of the mystery whose light dazzles us. Like Mary in the example above, your pain and suffering may consist mostly of economic losses such as: Cost of medical care The Bible says, Make sure your character does not contain any inclination toward money, and be content with what you have (Hebrews 13:5). These verses are like sandpaper on our modern sentiments about suffering. This compensation comes from two main sources. 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. Pain and suffering is something that cannot be easily quantified, making it difficult to prove. Be tolerant of one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against someone; just as the Lord has forgave you, you too should forgive each other (Colossians 3:13). Pain and suffering damages are especially hard to calculate since two different people can be injured in the exact same way and experience different levels of pain. if You take me through today . In these two verses, Paul lists several types of suffering mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. "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. Pastor Dick Bacon once said, "If this life were easy, we'd just love it too much. 11). Avvo Rating: 10. Suffering Because of The Culture / Systems of the World. our 99 Self-Care Techniques for Christians, How God Used My Struggles with Scrupulosity to Teach Me His Amazing Grace. While our natural reaction to pain is to avoid it, get rid of it, or numb it; we need to realize that God allows pain. For example, in Florida, a Plaintiff can receive up to $1 million for non-monetary damages. He was completely dependent on the Father, choosing to become weak so that God's strength could shine through Him. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain" ( Revelation 21:4 ). It forces us to face the fact that we are powerless to change other people and most situations. Furthermore, the Christian mystery is not only something contemplated but also experienced. How Often Should You Take Communion According to The Bible? There is no easy answer to this question. This often leads people into a serious search of the divine. 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. Calculating Pain and Suffering Can Be Complex. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. My friend Pete buried his wife a few years ago after a battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. 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). The assistance that families give their sick relatives is important in this area. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 reminds us that we are "destined for trials." In the end, God always judges our attitudes, and just because something is permissible doesnt mean its the right thing to do. Pinterest. 5 stars 7 reviews. I have been asked to expound on John Paul II's incomparable thinking on human pain. 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. Sometimes an attorneys reputation can help as much as the facts of the case, but it is important to discuss compensation and consider the scale of your claims and possible payout when deciding who to hire. Copyright 2023 Eternal Word Television Network, Inc. Irondale, Alabama. It prefigures the Lord's passion (cf. A Christian who is directed to abandon any legal action by God must do so willingly in order to follow His direction. or the next few minutes." Let us now try to describe suffering. Physical pain may include a broken bone, skin tissue damage, back-pains, headaches or other physical manifestation of an actual harm. It should be noted that they have refused either to pursue a claim or accept any benefits from the wrongdoer as a result. Nevertheless, if this brother refuses to listen to them, then this matter needs to be referred to the church for further action. 2001. 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. Love is the only key to deciphering the enigma of pain and suffering: love that can transform nothingness into full reality. 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 . But what about lawsuits between Christians and non-Christians? 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. 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). Ohio limits non-economic damages in all torts to $250,000 or three times economic damages, capped at $350,000 for a single plaintiff or $500,000 total if there are multiple plaintiffs. Ever since the fall of Adam, we keep forgetting that God created us to depend on Him and not on ourselves. Those who have suffered tend not to judge others experiencing similar suffering. It can also be helpful to keep a journal documenting your emotional suffering. All rights reserved. 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. 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. But how? Are you sure you want to rest your choices? The comfort of God that we can extend to others isn't limited to the church and is not limited to shared experience. The Gospel, alone, is not the only form of justice that is Perfect, But this is the best form of justice that may be able to help many family members who lose family member(s) through the Wrong doing Of another in the form of injury or death due to the wrongdoing of another. Something went wrong. Among the many reasons God allows us to suffer, this is my personal favorite: it prepares us to be the radiant bride of Christ. Alice Curtis August 6, 2001. One first needs to frame the enigma correctly and begin to seek its cause. . 28). Emotional distress is a type of 'pain and suffering' damage. 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.. 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. If you can see the purpose beyond the pain, you will understand God's ability to leverage the suffering in your . 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. In addition to physical pain, plaintiffs can recover for the permanent physical . Cardinal Barragn also visited several institutions connected with the Grunenthal Foundation for Palliative Care. Joni Tada said, "You were made for one purpose, and that is to make God real to those around you. You might be using an unsupported or outdated browser. Home Family QAs Get Help Family Q&A Life Changes Q&As Christians and Lawsuits. 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. 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. Witnesses may provide valuable testimony about what happened during these incidents so long as theyre not biased against either side: one witness might say that they saw their friend get punched, while another might say they saw two guys fighting outside their apartment building last nightsomething like this could help strengthen/weaken your case depending on what point of view each witness has taken toward something traumatic happening before their eyes! 2. The solution to the mystery of evil is not only discovered through theological exposition but also by experiencing that something which, if steadily gazed at, darkens because of its excessive brightness yet is very real - we can say the most real reality -, for it is the only way to happiness. How Often Should You Take Communion According to The Bible. Joni Eareckson Tada, When Is It Right to Die? The definition is vague, but the law allows you to file an insurance claim for pain and suffering compensation. Suffering is excellent at teaching us humble dependence on God, the only appropriate response to our Creator. Visit Probe's website. 2 Corinthians 1:9 tells us that hardships and sufferings happen "so that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.". . 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. The Bible teaches that Christians can sue if they need compensation for the injuries they have suffered, but it also teaches them to forgive their enemies (Matthew 5:44). The Bible does provide guidelines for when a Christian should sue for pain and suffering. Can I sue for emotional distress after car accident? 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. Common e xamples of emotional pain and suffering include: anxiety. We see this biblical truth illustrated through the persecuted church. Not being judged is a great comfort to those who hurt. In fact, our suffering is a sign of God's love. He notes from the outset that a misunderstanding of suffering can actually lead to the denial of God. Fill out any forms required by that small claims court. 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. He goes on to say: And if we look at our lives through Gods eyeswhich always include forgiveness as part of His perfect planthen maybe suing isnt necessary at all! Please try again later. As a matter of fact, they are ordained by God himself. Avvo has 97% of all lawyers in the US. 3 attorney answers. Matthew 5:25. 7). How To Find The Cheapest Travel Insurance, Average Pain and Suffering Settlement Examples, How to Get a Pain and Suffering Settlement, Assumption Of Risk In Personal Injury Claims, Intentional infliction of emotional distress, Type of accident or situation that caused the injury, Severity of the injuries and the pain involved, Impact on the persons job and relationships, Whether the plaintiff bears any fault for the accident. (See 1 Corinthians 6:12). 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. Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. 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. The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict, Overcoming Emotions That Destroy: Practical Help for Those Angry Feelings That Ruin Relationships. Lawyer directory. Consequently, the cause of suffering is an evil; so, suffering and evil can be identified with each other. Get Your Free Consultation From a Lawyer Near You. 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. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. 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. post-traumatic stress disorder. we just need to trust Him. but God is everything. To enter into the mystery, let us be guided by God himself. He will give us the comfort, peace, patience and strength we need. There is no such thing as pointless pain in the life of the child of God. Moreover, those who not only act to help the sick but also to drive away a whole series of evils, those who fight hatred, violence, cruelty and every type of physical and spiritual suffering, belong to the same category as the Good Samaritan. Being cut off from good is an evil. Sometimes attorneys who cannot take a case themselves have a system in place to refer cases to other attorneys, sometimes for compensation. Deep suffering of the soul is also a taste of hell. Suffering reminds us that we live in an abnormal world. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.". 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