The fruit of the Spirit is joy - Jocelyn Gracza

I am Wife, Mother of three, Grandmother, lived in Hungary for 25 years.
I am typically a happy person. I don’t share too much that isn’t ‘upbeat’.
However, the last time I stood before this body and shared a testimony, I was going through a very deep valley in my walk with the Lord. There were so many unanswered prayers and troubles. I felt so strongly:

• What good was any of it? 
• The service? The sacrificing? The praying?

I made a fundamental mistake in my Christian walk. I confused Happy (Boldog) with Joy (Orom). The Bible mentions Happy about 30 times. It talks about Joy over 300 times! Happy isn’t bad. Just not as important as Joy! Happy is an emotional response to the something external: 

• My morning cup of coffee
• Phone call from the kids
• Parking place near the church
• Serving my children and husband
• Living in my own home

When we left for the States 1 ½ years ago, my heart held no Joy (Orom). It was tired and questioning. My children were all gone. Stephen’s college hopes were unanswered. My Sunday School class & ministering with children was done for now.
The Lord had to get me alone to hear His voice. It took taking everything away from me, emptying my world, before He could be heard. He started dealing with what I was basing the ‘condition of my heart’ on. I was trying to live on ‘Happy’, but never stayed that way for long. It was a ‘stormy’ year emotionally for me. God needed to break me free from my emotions and set me on the spiritual path towards Joy. He wanted me to understand “Joy”, which was based on Him and His Spirit. 
He told me clearly “I’ve got this.” 

• My life
• My children’s lives
• Our ministry

I was a bit anxious coming home. How would I live out this new Spirit-based Joy? 
•    I was alone
•    No I wasn’t
•    I was with God
The Joy of the Lord is my strength. 

• Szt Laszlo called. Would I consider filling in for a year for a sick colleague?

I am teaching English to 220 students in 11 different classes. 17 hours a week.

• The church asked me if I would help out with the tini csoport.
• The Forras Haza in Kispest asked me to be their English Club Leader.

My Joy is complete. That Joy is rooted in the Lord. 
Based on the understanding: He’s got this!

07/02/2016, Agapé Pentecostal Church

Jocelyn Gracza