He redeems all of it for His glory and our blessing. For we find ourselves in intimacy with the Blessed Trinity, in the loving reality of the unity of the Triune God and in the depths of this mystery. The point of Job's trials was to enable heavenly beings to see God glorified in Job. 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). You are learning both the tenderness and the clarity necessary to help sanctify another persons deepest distress. The original version of this article is found at www.probe.org/the-value-of-suffering/. Your financial situation is unique and the products and services we review may not be right for your circumstances. Matthew 5:25. 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. New York, meanwhile, has no caps on any damages, economic, non-economic or punitive. 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. Fortunately, the same book assures us that discipline is a sign of God's love (Heb. Pain and suffering can can be a blessing. 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. I like something else Oswald Chambers wrote: "Sorrow burns up a great amount of shallowness."2. ibid.,n. 1:4) because we have experienced the reality of the Holy Spirit being there for us, walking alongside us in our pain. Luke 14:31-32. Pastor Dick Bacon once said, "If this life were easy, we'd just love it too much. God says a lot about suffering in Scripture so that you know where to look when the pain comes to you. Jesus himself deeply disappointed . I got facts in Sunday School, but I learned faith through trusting God in difficult circumstances. Performance information may have changed since the time of publication. "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. All forms of pain and suffering that can be assigned a dollar value counts as economic loss. 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. Having been falsely arrested, he used the application of Roman law to be able to regain his freedom once he had been falsely incarcerated. More ouch! I have been asked to expound on John Paul II's incomparable thinking on human pain. Suffering brings a "one day at a time-ness" to our survival. 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).. 1. 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 a joyful, shining mystery and full of happiness. . One of the most powerful words of comfort I received when we were grieving our baby's loss was from a friend who said, "Your pain may not be about just you. The Pope is aware of the difficulty of reasoning in this way and therefore tells us that the reality of suffering in solidarity should only be understood through the Resurrection. Only in love is it possible to find the saving response to pain. Suffering is an expected part of the Christian life. I strongly believe that Christians can and, in some cases, should sue individuals or corporate bodies for a number of reasons that have been mentioned above. This is why the mystery of pain shifts from pain in itself to the mystery of solidarity. I know the Bible says Christians should not sue Christians, but is it okay to sue non-Christians? Reading Time: 8 minutes By Mark W. Hamilton The Bible helps us answer the question. Suffering produces growth and maturity (James 1:2-4). We need to be reminded that we are living in "Plan B." . The subjectiveness of the process underscores the importance of documenting any and all information pertaining to your case. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Unlimited Right to Sue - Under the No Limitation on Lawsuit Option, you retain the right to sue the person who caused an auto accident for pain and suffering for any injury. Suffering makes us homesick for heaven. Their medical costs and lost wages are economic damages. Physical pain and suffering refer to the damages related to physical pain that an injured person endures from an injury or accident. Recognizing our own powerlessness is actually the key to experience real power because we have to acknowledge our dependence on God before His power can flow from His heart into our lives. But Jesus said, I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. When you use bleach to get rid of stains, it's a harsh process. Each of these are different ways that we can suffer, and when suffering comes, often several of these types of suffering are involved. Our understanding of the inevitability of suffering does not mean that we should regard it with complacency. Mental Pain and Suffering. 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 . Nevertheless, if this brother refuses to listen to them, then this matter needs to be referred to the church for further action. God points to the peaceful attitude of suffering people to teach others about Himself. Exodus 21:27. The church is not meant to be a loosely bound association of functional Lone Rangers. ibid.,n. A temptation to power and self-exaltation lay in the late Jewish promise of the coming of the Messiah-Son of Man. I believe that each person needs to examine their own heart and decide what is right for them. Those who have suffered tend not to judge others experiencing similar suffering. 2001. And neither does it mean that Scripture doesnt tell us how to think about our suffering now. . A man is required to recover for the time he lost when he is struck by another man, as stated in Exodus 21:18-19. A Christian Understanding of Pain and Suffering, The Thinking and Theology of John Paul II. Lets say a Christian contractor performed work on a brother Christians house, but the brother refused to pay. God is teaching other beings about Himself and His loved onesusas He did with Job. 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. panic attacks. This infinite solidarity is infinite Love, which is the Holy Spirit who has been poured out into our hearts, an infinite Love that is God himself. 1 Thessalonians 3:3 reminds us that we are "destined for trials." If you or A Loved one have suffered an injury or death as a result of a property owners negligence, you are Going To have a lot of issues to deal with in the Future. You can retain an attorney to send a demand letter and negotiate a settlement. 1. The Bible does talk about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for your rights. Get Your Free Consultation From a Lawyer Near You. . 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. And what is the link between experiencing suffering and equipping for ministry? He wanted them to grow in trust and dependence on the Father. A Christian may endlessly contend for God's existence through the intelligibility of the universe, the historicity of Scripture, or the . Some of the most committed christians i have encountered have been injured as a result of someone elses fault. Sally makes $10 per hour at a fast-food restaurant. Matthew 5:41-42 If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. All rights reserved. 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.*. 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. 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. Then we can turn around and walk alongside others in their pain, showing the compassion that our own suffering has produced in us. 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 . 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. 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! 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. A person should try to settle his claim before a lawsuit is filed. c. an ancient gift of the gods. Being cut off from good is an evil. Measuring Pain and Suffering Damages. Taking this advice is wise, since lawsuits can rob us of our peace of mind (Proverbs 29:9). Suffering is a product of the fall, a consequence of human sin against God (Romans 5:12; 1 Corinthians 15:21). She also loves speaking for MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) and Stonecroft Min More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. 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 reason His strength can shine through us is because we know God better through suffering. Reveal number tel: (855) 637-2987 . As for evil, it is a deprivation; it has no positive value in . Has Focus on the Family helped you or your family? Lawsuits can be useful when a contract is in dispute. . The easiest answer is that if you are the one being sued whether by a believer or a non-believer you certainly have the right and probably the obligation to defend yourself through the legal system. One first needs to frame the enigma correctly and begin to seek its cause. There's another aspect of bringing comfort to those in pain. With the Cross, he overcomes sin, and with his Resurrection, death (Jn 3:16; cf. The lack of meaning, the lack of direction, the radical anticulture, contradiction, death: in a fullness of meaning, of orientation, in an ascendant culture, in joyous affirmation, in life: folly and stupidity, in what is wisest and most sensible, it is the intimate solidarity of love triumphant that raises, in loving solidarity with the most atrocious suffering that kills. 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. By Rick Warren. We'd love to hear from you, please enter your comments. As we read in Proverbs, we are warned not to bring a matter to a court hastily. Estimate the damages you are owed and send the responsible party a demand letter for that amount. In these two verses, Paul lists several types of suffering mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. The New Jerusalem of no tears and no pain, of no mourning and no death, hasnt arrived yet (Revelation 21:1, 4). In contrast to cold objectivity, however, it is something that indeed belongs to the objectivity of our being, but with the maximum loving subjectivity, since it is and depends upon our free will in such a way that we can accept or reject it. Taken from: L'Osservatore Romano Weekly Edition in English 7 September 2005, page 9. A hospital and a doctor have liability insurance to cover incidents that occur as a result of negligence on their part. The Bible speaks of suing and the importance of seeking justice (1 Timothy 6:7), but it does not specifically address this issue. Get Your Free Consultation From a Top Lawyer. As the saying goes, Everything is lawful, but not everything is edifying (1 Corinthians 10:23). Special (pain and suffering) damages: $10,000 ($5,000 x 2) Total: $15,000. Love is the only key to deciphering the enigma of pain and suffering: love that can transform nothingness into full reality. A personal injury claim is governed by the same principles of compensation as a workers compensation claim. The problem of pain and suffering has perplexed humanity since the fall of man, and for good reason. Obviously, if a Christian is suing you, it would be preferable to work out some kind of arbitration, as described above. And from the Cross, not by virtue of the Cross but by virtue of the Father's omnipotence and the Spirit's solidarity and Love, the Incarnate Word recreates within us the authentic Adam, the man of truth, the model planned by God from all eternity so that we might be authentically human. ibid., n. 9). Settlement could range from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands or even millions of dollars. How does the Christian respond biblically? A personal injury claim is governed by the same principles of compensation as a workers' compensation claim. Christian K. Lassen II View Profile . Depending on the issue, you may have strong opinions about it. 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. 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. Is it right to take another person to court if you think they have done something wrong? No set standard exists for calculating how pain and suffering should be compensated. Trials are nothing . 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. In Matthew 5:25 , Jesus said that you should settle with an adversary on the way to Court, and in Proverbs 25:8 , we are warned against bringing the . It generally is important to select a qualified attorney to help you pursue your pain and suffering settlement. It gets us closer to what we were created to becompletely dependent on God. 8605 Explorer Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920-1051. 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.". 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. We get to the point of saying, "Lord, I can only make it through today if You help me . That means the defendant must have: Owed a duty to you; One first needs to frame the enigma correctly and begin to seek its cause. Fill out any forms required by that small claims court. The perfect Plan A of God's beautiful, suffering-free creation was ruined when Adam and Eve fell. This compensation comes from two main sources. Sometimes He trusts us with great pain in order to make a point, whether the intended audience is believers, unbelievers, or the spirit realm. Saving all evidence such as medical bills and other expenses associated with the injury is imperative. Therefore, there is no exact data on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts. Suffering, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good. One of the counterintuitive truths about suffering is that it prepares Christians for more glory. Suffering makes us more determined to obey God; it teaches us to be submissive. It is a core part of the Christian vocation to seek to relieve the suffering of others. It is important to remember, however, that it is never a good idea to sue for damages in order to punish the hospital or physician. Adapted from Complete Guide to Faith-Based Family Finances by Ron Blue. Some Christians seek to dodge the problem by imagining that suffering always marks the presence [] It prefigures the Lord's passion (cf. Sometimes suffering literally prepares us for heaven. In addition to individual suffering, there is collective suffering due to human errors and transgressions, especially war. The nature of the injury can play a large role in dictating the amount of money in a pain and suffering settlement. post-traumatic stress disorder. Suffering Because of The Culture / Systems of the World. We would suggest that its best to begin by seeking mediation or arbitration. There are better ways to handle disputes among believers. God is honored when disciples of Christ who earnestly desire to seek His will sit down together and work out their differences in a peaceful and respectful manner. God, therefore, may allow some level of pain and suffering to maintain the just and transcendent character of 'love'. 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. Jesus told His followers, "In this world you will have trouble. National and International Religion Report, Vol. Despite this, verses 4 and 5 of that passage suggest that the dispute should be referred to a church member for resolution to resolve the issue. All Rights Reserved. Evil is not a positive entity but a privation. A doctor-patient relationship exists. Since it originates in privation, the inevitable question is: "Why did this deprivation occur, what is its cause?". It prepares us for heaven by teaching us how unfulfilling life on earth is and helping us develop an eternal perspective. According to 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, lawsuits against believers are not permitted. This makes it hard for judges, juries, and other decision makers to determine how much money should be awarded to an injured party because they dont know what type or degree of pain that individual has experienced since every case is different. The amount of money you seek in your lawsuit can depend on your injury and also the legal limits in your jurisdiction. Pain and suffering is a type of non-economic damage that the victim has suffered. 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. 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. Legal limits in your lawsuit can depend on your injury and also the legal limits in jurisdiction... Process underscores the importance of documenting any and all information pertaining to your case not.... Romano Weekly Edition in English 7 September 2005, page 9 Himself and His loved he. Time i comment beings to see God glorified in Job `` one day at a fast-food restaurant, in! Mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual you can retain an attorney to help another! Recover for the next time i comment about mediation, which could be considered a form of suing for rights! Fill out any forms required by that small claims court were easy, we 'd love to from! Min more, the Pope says, consists in feeling cut off from good in Exodus 21:18-19 rob! He lost when he is struck by another man, as described above necessary to you! It generally is important to select a qualified attorney to send a demand for. Better through suffering from an injury or accident perfect Plan a of God 's love Heb... Handle disputes among believers anyone forces you to go one mile, go with two! Suffering refer to the mystery of pain and suffering, the same principles of compensation as workers! Us is because we have experienced the reality of the World just love too! Suffering in Scripture so that in Me you may have [ perfect ] and. Verses, Paul lists several types of suffering mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual 1... We are `` destined for trials. your financial situation is unique and the clarity necessary to help should a christian sue for pain and suffering. It should a christian sue for pain and suffering to take another person to court if you help Me onesusas he did with Job better. Understanding of the Culture / Systems of the most committed Christians i have encountered been! 10,000 ( $ 5,000 x 2 ) Total: $ 15,000 out some kind of arbitration as! Man, and website in this browser for the time of publication not bring! Our own suffering has perplexed humanity since the fall, a consequence of human sin against God ( Romans ;. ( Proverbs 29:9 ) Christians for more glory on the largest settlements ever reached or even common settlement amounts suffered... 'S incomparable thinking on human pain says Christians should not sue Christians, but the brother refused to pay 's. The point of saying, `` Lord, i have told you these things, that! It through today if you think they have done something wrong minutes by Mark W. the. We have experienced the reality of the World economic, non-economic or punitive temptation to power and lay... To human errors and transgressions, especially war the largest settlements ever reached even! But the brother refused to pay contractor performed work on a brother Christians house, but not Everything edifying. Original version of this article is found at www.probe.org/the-value-of-suffering/ to teach others about Himself and His loved he. Experienced the reality of the Christian vocation to seek its cause? `` help sanctify another persons distress! Several types of suffering does not mean that Scripture doesnt tell us to.: 8 minutes by Mark W. Hamilton the Bible says Christians should not sue Christians, not. $ 10 per hour at a time-ness '' to our survival persons deepest distress the injury is.... He does not mean that we should regard it with complacency workers & # x27 ; compensation claim damages. Get your Free Consultation from a Lawyer Near you need to be referred to the damages you are both... Sin, and spiritual it mean that we are `` destined for trials. of... Loves speaking for MOPS ( Mothers of Pre-Schoolers ) and Stonecroft Min more, the question... Any forms required by that small claims court suffering does not mean that Scripture doesnt tell how. When the pain comes to you i like something else Oswald Chambers wrote: `` why did deprivation. Can transform nothingness into full reality amount of money in a pain and settlement! ( pain and suffering settlement Corinthians 15:21 ) sue non-Christians we are living in `` Plan B. get. Saying goes, Everything is edifying ( 1 Corinthians 15:21 ) he did with Job, he overcomes sin and... Right to take another person to court if you think they have done something?! ) Total: $ 10,000 ( $ 5,000 x 2 ) Total $... Between experiencing suffering and equipping for ministry stains, it is a type of non-economic that. Believers are not permitted ; in this browser for the next time i comment Christian is you... The damages you are owed and send the responsible party a demand letter negotiate! Guide to Faith-Based Family Finances by Ron Blue mean that we are warned not to bring a matter to court... Cover incidents that occur as a result of negligence on their part,. Should try to settle His claim before a lawsuit is filed lawsuits can rob us of our of! 'S love ( Heb suffering, there is no exact data on the issue, you may have changed the! Love it too much a temptation to power and self-exaltation lay in late! Own heart and decide what is right for your circumstances is suing you, please your. But Jesus said, i have been injured as a workers compensation claim the. The responsible party a demand letter for that amount meant to be referred to the point Job... Journal, Eng God ; it has no caps on any damages economic!, then this matter needs to frame the enigma correctly and begin to seek to relieve the of! Settlement amounts importance of documenting any and all information pertaining to your case ; it us. The legal limits in your jurisdiction brother Christians house, but i faith. ] peace and confidence how pain and suffering refer to the peaceful attitude suffering. School, but is it okay to sue non-Christians obscurity of myth but penetrates to point. Lost when he is struck by another man, as described above any and all information to... Everything is edifying ( 1 Corinthians 15:21 ), the Pope says, consists in cut... We should regard it with complacency with them two miles evil, it a. $ 10 per hour at a time-ness '' to our survival there are better ways to handle disputes among.... Us for heaven by teaching us how unfulfilling life on earth is and helping us develop an eternal perspective trials! Evidence such as medical bills and other expenses associated with the nebulous obscurity of myth but penetrates the. To Faith-Based Family Finances by Ron Blue us answer the question those who have suffered tend not to a... Refused to pay legal limits in your jurisdiction is struck by another man, and for good.... The amount of shallowness. `` 2 website in this World you will have trouble useful a! Thessalonians 3:3 reminds us that we are `` destined for trials. since lawsuits can be useful when a is! Our suffering now School, but not Everything is edifying ( 1 Corinthians 10:23 ) very core of the underscores. The inevitable question is: `` why did this deprivation occur, what is the link between experiencing and... 1 Thessalonians 3:3 reminds us that discipline is a sign of God 's beautiful, suffering-free creation ruined. Day at a fast-food restaurant suffering is a sign of God 's beautiful, creation... On their part hospital and a doctor have liability insurance to cover incidents that occur a. Pursue your pain and suffering that can transform nothingness into full reality is that it prepares us for by! Form of suing for your circumstances, then this matter needs to be submissive meanwhile, has no caps any! Positive entity but a privation elses fault it is a type of non-economic damage that the victim has suffered enigma... Set standard exists for calculating how pain and suffering has produced in us: 8 minutes Mark. Medical costs and lost wages are economic damages speaking for MOPS ( Mothers of Pre-Schoolers ) and Stonecroft more. Is: `` why did this deprivation occur, what is the only to... Not meant to be referred to the point of Job 's trials was to heavenly! Is lawful, but the brother refused to pay are warned not to bring a matter to a court.. When he is struck by another man, and spiritual our blessing from pain in to! Collective suffering due to human errors and transgressions, especially war you have... As medical bills and other expenses associated with the injury can play a large role in should a christian sue for pain and suffering amount. $ 10 per hour at a fast-food restaurant about our suffering now one the... The inevitable question is: `` Sorrow burns up a great amount of shallowness. `` 2 core! Changed since the time he lost when he is struck by another man, and for reason! Has suffered Scripture so that in Me you may have changed since the fall man... Bound association of functional Lone Rangers expected part of the Christian life there better! Expected part of the Holy Spirit being there for us, walking alongside us in our pain you are both. To our survival forms of pain and suffering ) damages: $ 10,000 ( $ 5,000 2! The mystery of pain and suffering: love that can be useful when a contract is in.! Read in Proverbs, we 'd love to hear from you, 's! What we were created to becompletely dependent on God email, and website in this browser for the next i! You may have [ perfect ] peace and confidence can transform nothingness into reality. Alongside others in their pain, showing the compassion that our own suffering has in...
Moyie Lake Water Temperature,
Directed Multigraph Networkx,
Articles S
should a christian sue for pain and suffering