Question: I find that as I get older, I worry more and more about the future. I’m worried about how I could earn a living if I lost my job and what will happen if I can’t afford to retire. It seems to me that I’m paralyzed by fear of the future. I know it’s wrong, but how can I change? Response: It’s been correctly said that worry is taking on the responsibility that belongs to God, and that includes being preoccupied with the future. The Lord said, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them” (Matthew 6:31-32). Worry about your future and about your finances is not your problem; it’s a symptom—it’s an outside indicator of an inside spiritual problem. Most of our worries are based on future possible problems, not current circumstance. It’s the “what if’s” that cause us the most grief. Most people can handle the current situation, even a bad one, but they go into depression when they think about the future. So, how might you begin to handle worry? Stop, confess that you have assumed God’s responsibility, and turn that area of your life over to Him. Then take responsibility for whatever you can do something about. For example, rework your budget, or have an open dialogue with your spouse about finances, etc.