Mar 20, 2018
by John J. Pethtel
I like John Maxwell. I have read many of his books. I agree with many of the things that he says. One of those things that has been beneficial to me has been to do a personal evaluation.
I used to just hope that things in my life would get better without doing any assessment or working at it. While God is gracious, it turns out that He has given me enough wisdom, emotional intelligence, willpower, and empowerment from the Holy Spirit to recognize sin to repent of and shortcomings to improve on.
I am committed to being the best me that God has created me to be so this personal evaluation has become a very important part of my spiritual growth. It is not a complex process and I want to share it with you so that you might consider giving yourself a check-up too.
There are four key areas that I evaluate and assess:
1. HEALTH
Since I have started to actually pay attention to my health, I have had more energy and think more clearly. Areas that I assess include physical health (weight, stamina, pain, etc.), mental health (thinking, cognition, memory, etc.), emotional health (depression, anger, etc.), and spiritual health (joy, peace, patience, etc.). I also include an evaluation of my rest and sleep patterns.
2. RELATIONSHIPS
This is where I evaluate which relationships I have that are joy-bringing and which are draining. I evaluate the health of my marriage; and my relationships with each of my children, my friends, my coworkers, my church family, and my neighbors. I make plans to deepen relationships and to strive to become a better husband, father, pastor, co-worker, friend, and neighbor.
3. FINANCES
I look at how I might have foolishly stewarded resources over the past year and make plans to become a wiser steward and more generous giver. I strive to build as much margin in my
finances as I can so that I can be as helpful to others as I can.
4. MINISTRY/CAREER/CALLING
I evaluate what God has done to me and through me over the past year. I plan to improve in areas of ministry or career competency. I reassess my calling to my location, to my particular role, and to the people I serve.
When I keep these four areas in focus, I seem to be more prepared for the more preferable future that God has for me. If you are interested in ways to do a personal evaluation, please do not hesitate to contact me.
