A Better Way to Approach Assessment Feedback
Annual Performance Review feedback sessions are a routine part of our workplace process. For many of us, they can stir up feelings of stress, anxiety, or even self-doubt. It’s tempting to tie our worth to our productivity, our accomplishments, or the opinions of our management. But as Christians, we are invited to see these moments differently: through the lens of our faith, where our value is rooted not in our work, but in Christ.
Our Value Is in Christ, Not Our Work
In the midst of performance evaluations, it’s vital to hold fast to this truth: our worth does not hinge on our job performance. Instead, it flows from our identity as children of God, loved unconditionally by our Heavenly Father.
“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
We are God’s masterpiece, crafted with purpose and care. Our value is secure because we belong to Him - not because of a glowing review or a perfect scorecard.
When we ground ourselves in this reality, performance assessments lose their power to define us. Feedback, whether positive or constructive, becomes a tool for growth rather than a judgment of our worth. Our work matters, but it’s not the measure of who we are—it’s simply one way we live out the calling God has placed on our lives.
Receiving Feedback with Grace
Performance reviews often bring feedback that can be hard to hear. Yet, as followers of Christ, we’re called to approach these moments with humility and openness. Proverbs puts this plainly:
“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.”
The point is sharp but clear: Growth comes when we’re willing to listen and learn. Here are some practical ways to handle feedback as Christians:
Listen with humility: See feedback as an opportunity to improve, not as a personal attack.
Respond with grace: Thank your reviewer for their input, even if it stings, trusting God to use it for your good.
Pray and reflect: Bring the feedback to God, asking for wisdom to grow and peace where you feel uncertain.
Our work is part of God’s plan, but it’s not the whole story. We must invite God into our efforts, trusting Him to guide and bless what we do.
“Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!”
Trusting in God’s Plan
Sometimes, feedback can be tough, or a review might not go as we’d hoped. In those moments, we can lean on this promise in Romans:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
God is sovereign over every detail of our lives, including our careers. Even when the feedback feels discouraging, He’s weaving it into a bigger story for our good and His glory.
Our jobs are just one chapter in God’s plan for us. His love remains constant, no matter how we perform at work. When we trust Him, we find peace, knowing that He’s in control and that His plans for us are good. A poor assessment review doesn’t derail His purpose; it’s part of the journey He’s walking with us.
Rooted in Christ, Trusting in God
Performance reviews are a normal part of working life, but they don’t hold the final word on our value. As Christians, we’re called to anchor our identity in Christ, where our worth is unshakable. Feedback is a chance to grow, not a verdict on our souls. And through it all, we can trust that God loves us deeply and has a plan for our lives that no workplace evaluation can undo.
So, as you step into your next performance review, pause and pray. Ask God to remind you of your value in Him, to give you grace to receive feedback well, and to strengthen your trust in His perfect plan. You are loved, valued, and held by the Creator of all things—and that’s a truth no review can ever change.
