Some Shortcomings of Statistics

For the past couple of years or so, it seems that we’ve been consumed by statistics. This is particularly true with regard to the seemingly endless variants of the virus that people all over the world are dealing with.  

Our interest in and often our reliance upon statistics is not limited to the medical field. It is difficult to think of an area of our lives that is not affected in some way by statistics. We can find information about everything from our expected lifespan to the chances that our favorite athletic team has to win a game by using statistics. Both the weather report and the stock market report have huge statistical components. When our doctors give us information about a disease we have or a surgery that is recommended, some of that information is based on and couched in statistics. 

I guess I could go on and on, but I think you get the idea. At times, statistics are very important and can be very helpful.  

At the same time, I’m afraid that there are limitations to what statistics can do for us. For example there is rarely a time that statistics are absolutely reliable and accurate. As much as statisticians do all that they can to be accurate, there are always some possible variables that can have an impact.

I guess that I have a personal bias that causes me to see what I believe is the greatest shortcoming of statistics. That bias is based upon the fact that I tend to be a lot more interested in people than I am in numbers.

While statistics can inform me about a lot of things about “where I am” in life and/or how I may “stack up” compared to others, they cannot do things that are much, much more important.

Statistics cannot, for example, do things like:

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. (Rom. 12:15)

Bear one another’s burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ.  (Gal. 6:)

You can probably think of many verses that apply. These two just came to my mind as I thought about how important it is to be personally involved in the lives of people. I’m perfectly happy with letting the statisticians “do their thing” while I lend a hand, a listening ear, or do something else to help build relationships.

I think that I am in fairly good company. Do you remember the parable that Jesus told about the lost sheep? If not, you can read it in the fifteenth chapter of Luke. Statistically, the shepherd in that parable was doing just fine. He had only lost 1% of his flock. Apparently, he was not as concerned about how he was doing as he was about how that one lost sheep was doing.

Do you know anybody who is struggling with some very serious issues in his or her life? Do you not think that he or she would appreciate it if you viewed them as a person instead of a statistic?

By the way, neither my attempts to help, the amount of effort I put in, nor my success rate is anywhere near 100%. Should that keep any of us from trying?

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AUTHOR: Jim Faughn