As we near the close of the second half of our Crisis Management for the Believer series (you can catch up here if you are new to this series or you have missed anything), we continue to explore practical, godly responses to life’s storms. So far, we have seen prayer anchor us, serving others shift our focus, giving thanks reframe our hearts, getting alone with God’s Word steady our steps, and memorizing Scripture fix our minds on His purpose. Today, we take a sixth step: being aware of areas in our lives where we assume more responsibility than is ours in a crisis. In a crisis, this line blurs easily, but Scripture helps us see it clearly. Let us unpack why this matters and how to live within God’s boundaries as we are clarifying responsibility.

In a crisis, discerning between what is our responsibility (what we are called to obey and act on) and what is our concern (what we entrust to God) is crucial for maintaining peace and acting faithfully. Jerry Bridges, in Trusting God, emphasizes surrendering to God’s sovereignty, while Paul Tripp often highlights clarifying our role versus God’s to avoid overstepping into worry or control (here). The challenge becomes the balance of how to “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you” (Ps 55:22), and “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). How much do I trust God versus how much am I responsible to do? Further, what is my responsibility versus someone else’s responsibility?

Therefore, in the crisis, we must be aware of the places or areas where we are taking more responsibility than is ours. Accordingly, we must understand the difference between concern and responsibility. In crisis, a common error is to become overwhelmed by parts of the crisis that are out of our control. Thankfully, God has given us His Word that identifies our individual responsibilities for us. As part of His grace, the Bible also limits our responsibility. However, in the midst of trouble the distinction can become blurred.

The Pull to Overreach

In a crisis, regardless of kind, our hearts tend to leap to action. We want to fix, control, or resolve the pain we see or the discomfort we feel. For you and me, the look may be a bit different; yet, it is easy to agonize over outcomes beyond our reach, only to feel overwhelmed and weary. In those moments, we confuse concern with responsibility.

Concern is godly – it takes discipleship seriously and reflects love for others alongside care for God’s world. Responsibility is different – it encompasses what God assigns us to do in order to be a faithful follower of Jesus. In a crisis, we often take on burdens that belong to God or others: a child’s choices, a friend’s impending decisions, a global issue’s fallout, or even God’s timing. This overreach magnifies the crisis. As I have shared before from Paul Tripp, picture two circles: an inner circle of responsibility, where God calls us to act, and an outer circle of sovereignty, where God alone works (Circles of Responsibility). When we step outside our circle, we invite anxiety and exhaustion.

Scripture’s Clear Boundaries

God’s Word defines our circle of responsibility and, by His grace, guards us from carrying too much. Deuteronomy 29:29 declares, “The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” God keeps what is His – outcomes, others’ hearts, the future – and gives us what is ours – to obey Him, love others, and trust His plan.

Consider a family crisis. Your responsibility may be to pray and speak truth in love (Eph 4:15), as well as to forgive as God commands (Col 3:13). Changing a loved one’s heart? That is God’s work. Or take a societal crisis, like current economic unrest. You cannot steer the markets, but you can steward your resources faithfully (Luke 16:10) and bless others where possible. Where Scripture assigns your duty – honoring God in word and deed (Col 3:17) – act boldly. Where it does not, hold godly concern, trust God’s providential control, and love others as He provides opportunity.

The Peace of Staying in Your Circle

This discernment brings peace. When we stay in our circle of responsibility, we are free to act faithfully without the burden of God’s circle of sovereignty. Psalm 55:22 urges, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you.” I have seen this with my counselees – people crushed by loads they were never meant to bear, then relieved as they released those to God. In my own crises, letting go of what is not mine has freed me to focus on what is: prayer, service, trust.
Contrast this with overreach. When we try to manage God’s domain or others’ choices, we grow anxious and frustrated, and the crisis looms larger. But staying within Scripture’s limits lets us love without controlling and serve without breaking. We can weep with those who weep (Rom 12:15), pray earnestly, and bless others – all while trusting God’s sovereign hand.

A Step Forward

Here is your challenge: pause today to examine your crisis. Take a piece of paper and draw two columns: “My Circle of Responsibility” and “God’s or Others’ Circle.” List what you are carrying. For each item, ask: “Does Scripture assign this to me?” Look to verses like Galatians 6:2-5 or Matthew 6:25-34 for guidance. If it is yours – like loving a neighbor or obeying God – act in faith. If it is not – like fixing an outcome – pray it over to God with godly concern and look for ways to bless others. Start small: perhaps it is a kind word you can offer or a worry you can release. Watch how God grants peace as you trust His boundaries. At the end of the day, you want to obey carefully everything God calls you to do regarding yourself and others, while at the same time, entrust God with those things for which you are concerned but have no responsibility.

Next time, we will tie these steps – prayer, service, thanksgiving, the Word, memorization, and discernment – into God’s strength in community. For now, take this step. What is one burden you can entrust to God today? What is the next step for serving faithfully in crisis?

In the midst of crisis, staying within Scripture’s limits lets us love without controlling and serve without breaking. Share on X