In or Word for Today, we will carefully study how to hold on to our Joy.

The Lord has promised us a sense of joy in the midst of every circumstance we face. Jesus said,

‘I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete’ (John 15:11 NIV).

So how can you hold on to your joy and not lose it? The apostle Paul tells us,

‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will abound in hope and overflow with confidence’ (Romans 15:13 AMP).

Notice that all-important word ‘believing’. It’s okay to have questions, but you must never doubt God’s love and faithfulness towards you.

One Bible teacher writes:

‘I remember an evening when I was feeling strongly dissatisfied and discontented. I had no peace or joy and was absolutely miserable.

I read Romans chapter 15:13, and it was indeed “a word in season” for me. My problem was simple: I was doubting instead of believing.

I was doubting God’s unconditional love for me, doubting that I could hear from him, doubting his call on my life, doubting that he was pleased with me.

I was filled with doubt…doubt…doubt. When I saw the problem and got back into faith and out of doubt…my joy and peace returned immediately.

I’ve found the same thing to be true again and again in my life. When my joy and peace seem to be gone, I check my believing – usually it is gone also.’

That same principle applies to you today!