Reach Forward

Building on the foundation of a loving relationship with God, the next group of steps is learning how to love yourself correctly.  Step 2 - Attitude and Step 3 - Aptitude provide movement and direction to give your career Altitude (Step 4). These steps are each focused inward. Look at how you are doing emotionally and how God made you, then see what that means for moving forward with your job search.

The circumstances that brought you to this moment may mean that you are dealing with fear, anger, or depression. Step 2 in the workbook will help you identify and address these feelings and attitudes to let you move forward in a healthy way. 

Consider it pure joy...whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV

As you think, so you shall be. Reach forward with confidence.

Resources

Below are links to resources designed to help you in this step of the workbook. These are designed to go along with the workbook content, but can be used independently as well. 

General

Attitude-o-Meter Exercise - Assess and reset your attitude with this printable exercise. 

Face the Fear Exercise - This printable exercise helps you identify your fears, find specific actions to take to face them, choose people to support you, and provides a prayer to pray from Neil T. Anderson’s Freedom from Fear. 

Anger to Danger Exercise - Use this printable exercise to help you move from anger to forgiveness through reflection and prayer. 

Used, Abused, Refused? - This post on the Crossroads Career blog focuses on identifying your feelings about a situation where you may have been used, abused or refused. Then you can let go of the past, so the past can let go of you. 

Victory in the midst of Defeat - This post on the Crossroads Career blog discusses working in challenging environments, and finding victory through changing focus and attitude. 

Overwhelmed? - This devotional post on the Crossroads Career blog is encouragement on how God can help us in the midst of overwhelming situations. 

If You Are Unemployed

Find CareerOneStop - Career and job search resources from the U.S. Department of Labor. 

What The Bible Says If You Are Between Jobs - A printable devotional booklet by Paul R. McGraw with 10 chapters full of Biblical support for those between jobs. 

Good Help from Goodwill - Goodwill.org provides a list of companies who are currently hiring, as well as other job skill and job search resources. 

Thankful in Your Job Search - A guest post from Crossroads Career ministry leader Harry Urschel of The Wise Job Search. This post lists 3 reasons you can be thankful while searching for a new job. 

Overcome Difficulties

Addiction - Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12 step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind. Celebrate Recovery is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling one’s life.

Disabilities - Resources for workers with disabilities from CareerOneStop.

Discrimination - Learn about the various types of discrimination prohibited by the laws enforced by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). 

Divorce Care Ministry - DivorceCare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. Don’t go through separation or divorce alone.

Grief Share Ministry - GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone.

Inmate Out Right - This post on the Crossroads Career blog tells ex-offender Lee’s story and the impact a church career ministry team had on the life of a prison inmate. 

Criminal Record? - Tips and tools from CareerOneStop for ex-offenders searching for job openings. 

Veterans - A post from The Crossroads Career blog with the top 6 free career resources available for veterans. Thank you for your service! 

Find Spiritual Support & Purpose

1-800 Dear God Devotional - Turn to Scripture for guidance about the many feelings, attitudes, or situations you may find yourself experiencing. 

Pocket Prayers from The Christian’s Career Journal - These short, printable prayers are for each part of the career journey. From The Christian’s Career Journey by Susan Britton Whitcomb. 

Your Hope & Future Devotional - This printable devotional and exercise from Crossroads Career will guide you through asking God about His plans for your life and help you set life goals that align with your best understanding of his purposes for you in your current situation. 

Life Purpose in a Nutshell- Download this printable booklet that contains A Biblical Approach To Life Purpose Discovery by Gary J. O’Malley.

Free Bible Versions, Studies, Devotions - YouVersion has created the Bible app, devotionals, Bible-reading plans, and many other free resources to help you grow and develop spiritually. 

My Utmost for His Highest Daily - Few devotional writers are as well known as Oswald Chambers. Sign up to get daily devotionals emailed to you, or read daily on the website. 

Manage Money & Dump Debt

Compass Financial Resources - “Finances God’s way” - Compass is a worldwide non-profit interdenominational ministry that teaches people of all ages how to handle money based on the principles of the Bible. Group studies, webinars & seminars, and other financial management resources available.  

 Crown Financial Ministries - The blog, online course, podcast and other resources at Crown Financial Ministries are all centered around their mission, advancing God’s principles of stewardship and life.

Financial Peace University – Dave Ramsey offers education and resources to get out of debt and save for your future. Find a class locally, go online, or do the program yourself at home.

National Foundation for Consumer Credit - Review your financial challenges and goals with a financial counselor and set actionable plans to conquer your debt. The majority of these services are provided at no or low cost to clients.

Strengthen You & Your Family

American Association of Christian Counselors - This search tool helps you locate Christian counseling options in your geographical area. 

Encouraging Your Spouse Through Unemployment - This devotional has 10 steps you can take to support and encourage your spouse while they are unemployed. 

Focus on the Family While Making a Career Change - This post on https://www.focusonthefamily.com gives advice for taking care of yourself and your family spiritually during a job or career change. 

Click to view  Step 3