Some time ago, my husband and I heard a radio program that was quoting off statistics, about how if you have shelter for the night, you are in the top x-percent of the world population, if you have food in the kitchen, you are in y-percent of the world population, and if you have all your physical needs met and have some money in the bank, you are in the top one percent of the people in the world.
For months afterward, whenever we got in a difficult or anxious spot, we would look at each other and say, "Well, we've got food in the kitchen and a warm place to sleep tonight. We have $3.57 in the bank. We are the one percent!" And we would grin at each other, reminded that we are extremely fortunate, compared to some people in the world.
Well, today I went looking for those statistics, so I could write a word of encouragement for my readers, to remind us all that if we have "food and raiment," we should be content.
Turns out, the global statistics aren't as bad as I thought! Just a cursory search of the Internet gave me the following figures on how the world is faring with regard to the basics of life:
So, although there are people suffering in the world -- there is no denying that -- things aren't quite as bad as one would believe from watching the news or reading the latest plea from charity organizations.
If you want to help the less fortunate, by all means, follow your heart. There are people out there who need help. But don't get all distraught over the conditions of the poor, because according to available figures most people in the world do in fact have the basics of life.
For months afterward, whenever we got in a difficult or anxious spot, we would look at each other and say, "Well, we've got food in the kitchen and a warm place to sleep tonight. We have $3.57 in the bank. We are the one percent!" And we would grin at each other, reminded that we are extremely fortunate, compared to some people in the world.
Well, today I went looking for those statistics, so I could write a word of encouragement for my readers, to remind us all that if we have "food and raiment," we should be content.
Turns out, the global statistics aren't as bad as I thought! Just a cursory search of the Internet gave me the following figures on how the world is faring with regard to the basics of life:
- 89 percent of the people in the world have food to eat on a regular basis.
- 98.5 percent of the people in the world have a safe place to sleep at night.
- 99 percent of the people in the world have access to good water.
So, although there are people suffering in the world -- there is no denying that -- things aren't quite as bad as one would believe from watching the news or reading the latest plea from charity organizations.
If you want to help the less fortunate, by all means, follow your heart. There are people out there who need help. But don't get all distraught over the conditions of the poor, because according to available figures most people in the world do in fact have the basics of life.