Shima Baughman, a BYU law professor and gospel scholar, shares her insights on transforming worry into joy, drawing from her personal experiences as a mother. She emphasizes that true joy stems from our relationship with heavenly parents and Jesus Christ, not worldly distractions. The conversation explores the misconception that worry signifies love and advocates for compassion in relationships. Baughman also highlights the importance of empowering children in spiritual discussions, encouraging open communication rooted in faith.
True joy is rooted in faith and relationships with Heavenly Parents, encouraging a present-focused perspective amid life’s challenges.
Worry hinders connections and should be replaced by faith and support, fostering healthier relationships through empowering others and open dialogue.
Deep dives
Defining Joy Beyond Circumstances
Joy is often misunderstood and overly associated with external circumstances or future events. The true essence of joy lies in the relationship with Heavenly Parents and Jesus Christ, emphasizing that joy is found in the assurance of faith while actively engaging in life’s challenges. A key insight is the scripture that encourages individuals to cheerfully do all they can, allowing divine intervention afterwards. This perspective shifts the focus from waiting for future happiness to experiencing joy in the present moment, regardless of life’s trials.
Letting Go of Worry as Love
The tendency to equate worry with love is a profound misconception that can hinder relationships and personal well-being. Worry does not demonstrate love, as it often leads to anxiety and despair, thereby pushing loved ones away rather than encouraging them. A powerful realization is to recognize that love should be expressed through faith and support instead of concern and fear, as illustrated by scriptural examples that focus on empowering and guiding individuals. By meeting others where they are and fostering connections, one can cultivate healthier relationships devoid of worry.
The Role of Agency and Joyful Parenting
Empowering others and allowing them the agency to make choices is crucial for fostering healthy relationships, particularly in parenting. Emphasizing that worry stems from the fear of losing control, one learns that joy flourishes when individuals focus on supporting rather than controlling others. Effective parenting requires open dialogues that allow children to think critically about their choices, fostering a supportive environment rather than one filled with shame. Ultimately, the key is to cultivate one’s own joy through spiritual growth and trust in God, thereby creating a positive influence on those around.
We want to make our joy more known, and because we are followers of Jesus Christ, this should be the center of our mission! But sometimes in our desire for everyone close to us to live the joyful gospel life, it's our worry rather than our joy that comes through. This was an "aha" from Magnify contributor Shima Baughman when her personal family experiences were causing her more worry than joy. It was a moment where she had to ask herself, “am I really living the gospel?” And in this episode, Deseret Book content manager Stephanie Bryson chats with her about what the solution to this problem could be.
Join us on Instagram @magnifycommunity to continue the conversation!
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