by Scott Basham, BibleSteak Contributor

Your Yearly Appraisal

Many people get a yearly appraisal at work, listing what has gone well and what needs improvement. Often there is some scale like 1.0 - 5.0, where 90% of the employees get a 3.0, and those who have done exceptionally well might get a 3.5 or maybe even a 4.0. At work management does not expect perfection, but they want to see a strong effort, good contributions, and some improvement each year.

What if God were to give you a yearly appraisal? It could be similar, where God does not expect perfection, but He wants to see your relationship with Him improving, your character becoming more like Him, and your availability to work with Him growing.

If God gave you this appraisal, maybe it would have the following areas of your life listed. He would discuss each one with you, not expecting perfection, but looking for a heart to do the right thing, to confess failures and sin, and to look where you can say, "I'm not where I need to be, but I'm not where I used to be."

As you consider what God would say, check what the Holy Spirit is saying to your conscience. Don't make excuses - this is between you and God.

Look for areas to improve, and even set an action plan on how to do it, so next time you receive the appraisal, you see growth.

Area	Description	Rating	Comments	Action Plan
Complaining or whining	How often do people hear you being negative about things?
Impatience	How well do you wait, for things during the day, but also for life events?
Lack of respect for authority	Authority doesn't have to deserve it, but we are still commanded to respect them
Ingratitude	1 Cor 4:7 "what do you have that you did not receive?" Do you thank God, and others, for what they give you?
Idolatry or misplaced passions	What kinds of interest do you have for God and the things of God? Especially compared to other things
Deception in words or tone	Do you deceive others, by what you say, don't say, or body language?
Watching sinful movies or images	It is near impossible to avoid all images, but do you seek them out in an unhealthy way?
Lust	Where are your passions? Do you mentally wander, or get distracted easily?
Silence	God does want us to stand up for Him and His interests, without being obnoxious - what backbone do you have for God?
Lack of holding to God's truth	God gave us His truth in the Bible, and we need to personally hold tight to it
Laziness	How often does God prompt you to act, and you don't?
Learning the Bible	We cannot know the heart of God without knowing the Bible
Cheating	Do you cut corners, or do questionable acts?
Lack of brotherly love	How much to you care for others? Are there people you ignore or neglect?
Jealousy	It is okay to have interests in better things, but how much do you focus on that? Does it consume you, or is a regular part of your thoughts?
Withholding help to needy, sick, elderly, hurting, etc.	Almost everyone has needs. Do you see them? Do you act on them?
Prayerlessness	We often miss out so much on our relationship with God and His blessings when our prayers are lacking.
Not honoring God with your money and time	Does God consider you generous? Are you a giver, of money or time? It does not require wealth.
No servant's heart	Do you watch while other people help, or do you jump in to help?
Unforgivingness	We've been hurt by others, and we get hurt by others - how have you responded?
Pride / talk too much about yourself	Do you focus on the needs and successes of others?
Unteachable	God often has something to say to you, often through others. How do you respond?
Does not apologize	No one is perfect. You make mistakes. Can you admit it, to yourself, to God, to others?
Bad temper	How often do you get your button pushed? When pushed, sometimes a lot, how well do you respond?
Mocking / making fun of others	We are all a little weird or different. How much do you motice it in others? How often do you say something where it hurts, even if they don't hear it?
Revengeful	Those who have wronged you and do wrong you, do you wish or plot their hurt?
Critical / quick to find fault in others	Others will fail you and fail God. Do you respond in compassion or just enjoy their failure? And you do so, often forgetting your own failures
Secret sins	What is going on in your life that should not be? Be honest.
Little time with God	God wants time with you, some dedicated time, and some casual time.
Over-indulgence / lack of temperance	Are you able to control your urges, with money, food, passions, sports, whatever?
Yielding to peer pressure	Are you a chameleon? Do you act differently around different people, lowering your standards sometimes?
Gossip	When you talk about others, is there compassion in your heart, or do you hold a joy when they struggle? Does it make you feel better when others fail? Do you talk about it to others?
Don't focus on others	How much time do you think about helping others versus things for yourself?
Lack of faith	God wants you to trust Him. The more you trust Him, the more you will find Him dependable.