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Not My Circus: Living with Courage, Conviction, and Compassion in a World of Chaos
NATIONAL BESTSELLER • The pressure is unmistakable—conform or get cancelled. Mark Batterson invites you into a different way of living in the digital age with a call to Christlike nonconformity that doesn’t withdraw from the world but transforms it.
“In Not My Circus, Mark Batterson pastors us through a cultural moment and relational challenges with wisdom, kindness, and conviction.”—Annie F. Downs, author of That Sounds Fun
Social media rewards outrage and punishes nuance. Algorithms decide what you see and who you hear. Mob culture stands ready to silence anyone who steps out of line. And the pressure to pick a side—and stay there—has never been greater.
No one is immune from conformity bias, including those who follow Jesus. Somewhere along the way, many have traded holy courage for social comfort, spiritual discernment for tribal loyalty, and amazing grace for the same culture of cancellation they claimed to oppose. The result is a faith that looks less like Jesus and more like whatever side of the aisle we happen to sit on.
Mark Batterson issues a rallying cry for a different kind of nonconformity—not withdrawal from culture but engagement with it on entirely different terms. In Not My Circus, he draws on Romans 12:2—“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed”—to show how to resist cultural pressure without retreating from cultural engagement.
After nearly thirty years pastoring just steps away from the halls of power in Washington, DC, Batterson brings hard-won wisdom to the defining challenge of our moment. You’ll learn how to cultivate a non-anxious presence by developing
• holy courage—the boldness to stand firm in your convictions without being controlled by others’ opinions
• spiritual discernment—the sense to know which battles are yours to fight and which ones aren’t
• amazing grace—the ability to engage those you disagree with, maintaining your witness without taking on their anxiety
For anyone ready to stop reflecting culture and start transforming it, Not My Circus offers a road map to escape the cult of conformity—and live for the applause of nail-scarred hands.
“In Not My Circus, Mark Batterson pastors us through a cultural moment and relational challenges with wisdom, kindness, and conviction.”—Annie F. Downs, author of That Sounds Fun
Social media rewards outrage and punishes nuance. Algorithms decide what you see and who you hear. Mob culture stands ready to silence anyone who steps out of line. And the pressure to pick a side—and stay there—has never been greater.
No one is immune from conformity bias, including those who follow Jesus. Somewhere along the way, many have traded holy courage for social comfort, spiritual discernment for tribal loyalty, and amazing grace for the same culture of cancellation they claimed to oppose. The result is a faith that looks less like Jesus and more like whatever side of the aisle we happen to sit on.
Mark Batterson issues a rallying cry for a different kind of nonconformity—not withdrawal from culture but engagement with it on entirely different terms. In Not My Circus, he draws on Romans 12:2—“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed”—to show how to resist cultural pressure without retreating from cultural engagement.
After nearly thirty years pastoring just steps away from the halls of power in Washington, DC, Batterson brings hard-won wisdom to the defining challenge of our moment. You’ll learn how to cultivate a non-anxious presence by developing
• holy courage—the boldness to stand firm in your convictions without being controlled by others’ opinions
• spiritual discernment—the sense to know which battles are yours to fight and which ones aren’t
• amazing grace—the ability to engage those you disagree with, maintaining your witness without taking on their anxiety
For anyone ready to stop reflecting culture and start transforming it, Not My Circus offers a road map to escape the cult of conformity—and live for the applause of nail-scarred hands.
- GenresChristian
336 pages, Hardcover
Published October 20, 2026
About the author
Mark Batterson
203 books1,167 followersMark Batterson is the lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. One church in seven locations, NCC owns and operates Ebenezers Coffeehouse, The Miracle Theatre, and the DC Dream Center. NCC is currently developing a city block into The Capital Turnaround. This 100,000-square-foot space will include an event venue, child development center, mixed-use marketplace, and co-working space. Mark holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the New York Times best-selling author of seventeen books, including The Circle Maker, In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Wild Goose Chase, Play the Man, Whisper, and, most recently, Double Blessing. Mark and his wife, Lora, live on Capitol Hill with their three children: Parker, Summer, and Josiah.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 24, 2026
Mark Batterson does a fantastic job writing books that challenge you as a Christian, but also fill you with love and grace. In Not My Circus, we are encouraged to love others as Jesus loves them, but not compromise or condone sinful behavior. The overwhelming theme is to meet people where they are with love and grace, but also with truth. We are encouraged to stay the course and continue to reach people for Jesus while the world is in chaos around us. While we don't need to become part of the chaos, we also don't need to stress about it, instead we need to show everyone the intense love of Jesus. This book is such a relevant book in the current culture we live in.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Not My Circus by Mark Batterson is an accessible devotional that attempts to walk the line of holiness and compassion in a world that frequently demonizes one or the other. It’s fuel for anyone wanting to disconnect from simple narratives or divisive media pervasive in our communities.
Here’s what I enjoyed about the book:
- Batterson consistently calls out our status quo of conformity. This is not an easy message to hear, and certainly a riskier message to preach. Going out of conformity at all levels (as individuals, as churches, as the church) is in reality not a popular move. But we’re called to a different conformity with Christ. It’s an admirable point that Batterson repeatedly calls the reader to live up to.
- The author also demonstrates a wide curiosity with his sources. At times, some of the references will go above the heads of non-experts like myself in fields of psychology, but it’s much preferable to a list of vague platitudes. Illustrations are translated by Batterson into tangible action steps.
- Not My Circus doesn’t shy away from encouraging public engagement. But he doesn’t idolize it either. The chapter “Cut and Paste Christianity” is an excellent example of this- it’s worth asking “Who are we following,” on political issues, and if it’s not Jesus, it’s time to turn around.
There are two things I wish would be expanded on or said differently:
- Batterson dives into defenses traditional views of marriage, gender, and pro-life while only making cursory comments about racism and immigration. Assuming his audience is a broader evangelical audience, I wish he would be more consistent on when he punches and when he pulls back. He’s a trusted voice with a unique viewpoint for evangelicals to learn from, but he shies away from taking firm stances on some issues, even as he details his position on others.
- He offers up some red meat with sayings like “When I was growing up… we engaged in something called critical thinking.” There’s a bit of irony for younger audiences who read this. If anyone is to blame for the disappearance of critical thinking, it’s Batterson’s generation failing to pass it on, not the other way around. At times, Batterson makes a rhetorical move that is pleasing to a nostalgic audience, but the validity of his argument is much murkier.
These are light critiques in view of a much fuller work. Overall, I was very satisfied with the book.
At the beginning of the book, Batterson recommends reading Not My Circus as a devotional. To me, that would be its most beneficial context. It’s not meant to answer every issue or question, but hopefully it sparks quality conversation among your leadership team or small group on how to speak, think, and act differently in a chaotic world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Multnomah Publishing for access to the volume.
Here’s what I enjoyed about the book:
- Batterson consistently calls out our status quo of conformity. This is not an easy message to hear, and certainly a riskier message to preach. Going out of conformity at all levels (as individuals, as churches, as the church) is in reality not a popular move. But we’re called to a different conformity with Christ. It’s an admirable point that Batterson repeatedly calls the reader to live up to.
- The author also demonstrates a wide curiosity with his sources. At times, some of the references will go above the heads of non-experts like myself in fields of psychology, but it’s much preferable to a list of vague platitudes. Illustrations are translated by Batterson into tangible action steps.
- Not My Circus doesn’t shy away from encouraging public engagement. But he doesn’t idolize it either. The chapter “Cut and Paste Christianity” is an excellent example of this- it’s worth asking “Who are we following,” on political issues, and if it’s not Jesus, it’s time to turn around.
There are two things I wish would be expanded on or said differently:
- Batterson dives into defenses traditional views of marriage, gender, and pro-life while only making cursory comments about racism and immigration. Assuming his audience is a broader evangelical audience, I wish he would be more consistent on when he punches and when he pulls back. He’s a trusted voice with a unique viewpoint for evangelicals to learn from, but he shies away from taking firm stances on some issues, even as he details his position on others.
- He offers up some red meat with sayings like “When I was growing up… we engaged in something called critical thinking.” There’s a bit of irony for younger audiences who read this. If anyone is to blame for the disappearance of critical thinking, it’s Batterson’s generation failing to pass it on, not the other way around. At times, Batterson makes a rhetorical move that is pleasing to a nostalgic audience, but the validity of his argument is much murkier.
These are light critiques in view of a much fuller work. Overall, I was very satisfied with the book.
At the beginning of the book, Batterson recommends reading Not My Circus as a devotional. To me, that would be its most beneficial context. It’s not meant to answer every issue or question, but hopefully it sparks quality conversation among your leadership team or small group on how to speak, think, and act differently in a chaotic world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Multnomah Publishing for access to the volume.
October 20, 2026
DON’T CONFORM — BE TRANSFORMED!
One of my favorite quotes from Mark Batterson newest book, “Not My Circus,” is: “These six words—not my circus, not my monkeys—mean minding your own dang business. Why? So you can be about the Father’s business. Anything else, everything else, is monkey business.” I believe Batterson shared a lot of wisdom in those few statements. In today's world, people seem caught up in a lot of “monkey business,” or what he calls minding other people's business. If you are honest with yourself, you know you see it every day in your own life, in both the big areas (family, church, and career ) and the small ones (sports, hobbies, etc.) If we take a look in the mirror, we may find ourselves guilty of this.
Batterson offers a three-step plan to help us “engage with the world but not be conformed by the world,” as taught in Romans 12:2.
• holy courage—the boldness to stand firm in your convictions without being controlled by others’ opinions
• spiritual discernment—the sense to know which battles are yours to fight and which ones aren’t
• amazing grace—the ability to engage those you disagree with, maintaining your witness without taking on their anxiety
I believe that God’s Timing is just as important as His Will. In His Time, I have been having discussions with a close friend about making a stand on a social media platform. I had a window of opportunity, but by the time I wrote my response, it had passed. After reading Batterson’s book, the next time I had the opportunity to make a stand on the same social media platform, I seized the day! Reflecting on the three points above made all the difference.
Also, our pastor has been preaching through Romans and has just preached on Romans 12. Again, God’sTiming is as important as His Will. I need constant reinforcement and encouragement to keep me focused and growing. I read some other reviews of Batterson’s book. One pointed outba1 someone commented on was that Batterson is “unnecessarily repetitive... if you've read some of his other books.” I'd add: Maybe some of us need a reminder, over and over and over again, not only of what we have been saved FROM, but also of what we have been saved TO.
Multnomah and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own and without influence.
One of my favorite quotes from Mark Batterson newest book, “Not My Circus,” is: “These six words—not my circus, not my monkeys—mean minding your own dang business. Why? So you can be about the Father’s business. Anything else, everything else, is monkey business.” I believe Batterson shared a lot of wisdom in those few statements. In today's world, people seem caught up in a lot of “monkey business,” or what he calls minding other people's business. If you are honest with yourself, you know you see it every day in your own life, in both the big areas (family, church, and career ) and the small ones (sports, hobbies, etc.) If we take a look in the mirror, we may find ourselves guilty of this.
Batterson offers a three-step plan to help us “engage with the world but not be conformed by the world,” as taught in Romans 12:2.
• holy courage—the boldness to stand firm in your convictions without being controlled by others’ opinions
• spiritual discernment—the sense to know which battles are yours to fight and which ones aren’t
• amazing grace—the ability to engage those you disagree with, maintaining your witness without taking on their anxiety
I believe that God’s Timing is just as important as His Will. In His Time, I have been having discussions with a close friend about making a stand on a social media platform. I had a window of opportunity, but by the time I wrote my response, it had passed. After reading Batterson’s book, the next time I had the opportunity to make a stand on the same social media platform, I seized the day! Reflecting on the three points above made all the difference.
Also, our pastor has been preaching through Romans and has just preached on Romans 12. Again, God’sTiming is as important as His Will. I need constant reinforcement and encouragement to keep me focused and growing. I read some other reviews of Batterson’s book. One pointed outba1 someone commented on was that Batterson is “unnecessarily repetitive... if you've read some of his other books.” I'd add: Maybe some of us need a reminder, over and over and over again, not only of what we have been saved FROM, but also of what we have been saved TO.
Multnomah and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are my own and without influence.
Read
October 24, 2026Sometimes a book comes along at just the right time. That has certainly been my experience with Not My Circus by Mark Batterson.
I've appreciated several of Batterson's books over the years, and this one is especially timely and practical. Its message resonates with something God has been teaching me lately: I can be faithful and responsible without trying to control everything around me.
The title comes from the familiar expression, "Not my circus, not my monkeys." While that might sound like an excuse to avoid responsibility, Batterson uses it to communicate something much more meaningful. We don't have to carry every burden, solve every problem, engage in every controversy, or manage every outcome. Instead, we need the wisdom to discern what God has actually entrusted to us—and the courage to leave the rest in his hands.
Grounded in Romans 12:2, Not My Circus challenges followers of Jesus to resist the anxiety, outrage, division, and conformity that characterize so much of our culture. Rather than being shaped by the world around us, we're invited to become people who reflect the character of Jesus.
Batterson organizes the book around three important themes:
Holy Courage: Standing firm in our convictions without being controlled by the opinions or approval of others.
Spiritual Discernment: Recognizing which responsibilities and battles are actually ours, rather than becoming distracted by everything demanding our attention.
Amazing Grace: Learning to engage others with compassion, humility, and a non-anxious presence—even when we disagree.
One of the things I appreciate most about this book is its emphasis on the difference between being responsible and trying to be in control. Those aren't the same thing. We can care deeply, work diligently, and act faithfully without assuming responsibility for how everything turns out.
This connects with something I've been reflecting on in my own spiritual formation journey. It's easy to confuse faithfulness with fixing things, managing outcomes, or making sure everyone understands our intentions. But following Jesus also means recognizing our limitations, slowing down, and trusting God with what we cannot control.
I'm reminded of Exodus 14:14: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
That doesn't mean becoming passive or indifferent. It means learning when to act, when to wait, and when to let go.
I also see some meaningful connections between Batterson's message and the writings of Dallas Willard, John Mark Comer, and Peter Scazzero. All three remind us, in different ways, that spiritual maturity isn't simply about doing the right things. It's about becoming the kind of people who increasingly respond to life as Jesus would—with wisdom, peace, courage, and love.
My biggest takeaway: Spiritual maturity involves learning to take responsibility for what God has entrusted to us while releasing our need to control everything else.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the constant demands of life, exhausted from trying to fix things, or distracted by circumstances beyond your control, I think you'll find this book both encouraging and challenging.
For more information about Not My Circus, including where to purchase it, visit the publisher's website:
Not My Circus — Mark Batterson | Penguin Random House
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bo...
I've appreciated several of Batterson's books over the years, and this one is especially timely and practical. Its message resonates with something God has been teaching me lately: I can be faithful and responsible without trying to control everything around me.
The title comes from the familiar expression, "Not my circus, not my monkeys." While that might sound like an excuse to avoid responsibility, Batterson uses it to communicate something much more meaningful. We don't have to carry every burden, solve every problem, engage in every controversy, or manage every outcome. Instead, we need the wisdom to discern what God has actually entrusted to us—and the courage to leave the rest in his hands.
Grounded in Romans 12:2, Not My Circus challenges followers of Jesus to resist the anxiety, outrage, division, and conformity that characterize so much of our culture. Rather than being shaped by the world around us, we're invited to become people who reflect the character of Jesus.
Batterson organizes the book around three important themes:
Holy Courage: Standing firm in our convictions without being controlled by the opinions or approval of others.
Spiritual Discernment: Recognizing which responsibilities and battles are actually ours, rather than becoming distracted by everything demanding our attention.
Amazing Grace: Learning to engage others with compassion, humility, and a non-anxious presence—even when we disagree.
One of the things I appreciate most about this book is its emphasis on the difference between being responsible and trying to be in control. Those aren't the same thing. We can care deeply, work diligently, and act faithfully without assuming responsibility for how everything turns out.
This connects with something I've been reflecting on in my own spiritual formation journey. It's easy to confuse faithfulness with fixing things, managing outcomes, or making sure everyone understands our intentions. But following Jesus also means recognizing our limitations, slowing down, and trusting God with what we cannot control.
I'm reminded of Exodus 14:14: "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."
That doesn't mean becoming passive or indifferent. It means learning when to act, when to wait, and when to let go.
I also see some meaningful connections between Batterson's message and the writings of Dallas Willard, John Mark Comer, and Peter Scazzero. All three remind us, in different ways, that spiritual maturity isn't simply about doing the right things. It's about becoming the kind of people who increasingly respond to life as Jesus would—with wisdom, peace, courage, and love.
My biggest takeaway: Spiritual maturity involves learning to take responsibility for what God has entrusted to us while releasing our need to control everything else.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the constant demands of life, exhausted from trying to fix things, or distracted by circumstances beyond your control, I think you'll find this book both encouraging and challenging.
For more information about Not My Circus, including where to purchase it, visit the publisher's website:
Not My Circus — Mark Batterson | Penguin Random House
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/bo...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Are you allowing the chaos and outrage of our culture to affect your peace, or are you able to walk through it with courage, conviction, and compassion? That is the core question behind Mark Batterson’s newest title, Not My Circus. As we navigate through a world that feels increasingly polarized and fast-paced, Batterson attempts to draw our attention back to the things which truly matter, offering a roadmap to help us lower the temperature, step back from the unnecessary noise, and anchor ourselves in our faith.
Personally, I found some of Batterson’s writing style to be unnecessarily repetitive, especially if you have read any of his other books. Mark has a propensity to drop references to the visual cortex or the Reticular Activating System (RAS) when simpler language would have sufficed. Because he frequently returns to the same illustrations and stories, I was often left thinking, “I feel like I’ve heard this before,” and indeed I had. For example, he recycled the Tomatis Effect illustration from his other book Whisper (thought this was not the only illustration or quote reused). Furthermore, with nearly 25% of the book’s total volume dedicated to footnotes and credited sources, the heavy reliance on outside quotes can cloud Mark’s unique voice for me. At times, I felt like I was a reading a commonplace book rather than an original book.
The book itself is broken into 40 short chapters, split across three distinct acts: Holy Courage, Spiritual Discernment, and Amazing Grace. Now, if you prefer smaller, bite-sized chunks, every chapter offers quick, digestible insights that make it easy to read. But if you read for long stretches at a time, I felt like the book was a bit disjointed, lacking a central thread to really tie the whole narrative together.
That said, I found the second act on spiritual discernment to be particularly relevant and necessary for the chaotic cultural moment we currently find ourselves living within. The content in this section provided compelling, practical thoughts for anyone looking to navigate modern outrage with faith and clarity.
The basic premise of this book is that while the world around us may be chaotic, we don’t have to let that chaos control our lives. While it may feel a bit repetitive for longtime Batterson readers, I would still recommend it for those seeking advice on how to be discerning in our age of outrage. At the end, I would rate this book a 3 out of 5 stars. I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Personally, I found some of Batterson’s writing style to be unnecessarily repetitive, especially if you have read any of his other books. Mark has a propensity to drop references to the visual cortex or the Reticular Activating System (RAS) when simpler language would have sufficed. Because he frequently returns to the same illustrations and stories, I was often left thinking, “I feel like I’ve heard this before,” and indeed I had. For example, he recycled the Tomatis Effect illustration from his other book Whisper (thought this was not the only illustration or quote reused). Furthermore, with nearly 25% of the book’s total volume dedicated to footnotes and credited sources, the heavy reliance on outside quotes can cloud Mark’s unique voice for me. At times, I felt like I was a reading a commonplace book rather than an original book.
The book itself is broken into 40 short chapters, split across three distinct acts: Holy Courage, Spiritual Discernment, and Amazing Grace. Now, if you prefer smaller, bite-sized chunks, every chapter offers quick, digestible insights that make it easy to read. But if you read for long stretches at a time, I felt like the book was a bit disjointed, lacking a central thread to really tie the whole narrative together.
That said, I found the second act on spiritual discernment to be particularly relevant and necessary for the chaotic cultural moment we currently find ourselves living within. The content in this section provided compelling, practical thoughts for anyone looking to navigate modern outrage with faith and clarity.
The basic premise of this book is that while the world around us may be chaotic, we don’t have to let that chaos control our lives. While it may feel a bit repetitive for longtime Batterson readers, I would still recommend it for those seeking advice on how to be discerning in our age of outrage. At the end, I would rate this book a 3 out of 5 stars. I am deeply grateful to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
In Not My Circus, Mark Batterson teaches readers how to live their lives with courage instead of fear and choosing to live above the typical status quo. He explained how we need to answer the call for nonconformity by choosing to live out our faith boldly and not in fear. He looked at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and how he took a stance against segregation and he didn’t care what people would think of him. He explained how the fear of man is false authority and he compared it to people bowing down to idols. Paul also warned us about conforming to the patterns of the world. The only true way to overcome what people think and the fear of what man could do is to have a fear of God. He has written this book to introduce readers to an important response to the fear of man and this is his rule of life. This saying is, “Not my circus, not my monkeys.” We need to realize that we can’t control other people actions of reactions or their attitudes or opinions. We need to look focus more on our Father’s business and less on anything else which would be considered monkey business. This book is divided into three sections: holy courage, spiritual discernment, and amazing grace.
One of my favorite chapters discussed do it scared. This chapter begin with a story about how in 1957, a Harvard researcher, Dr. Curt Richer conducted experiments on rats and to see how good of swimmers they were. He placed a dozen of rats into a 30 inch glass cylinder filled with water. They were made to swim until they gave up. They lasted 15 minutes until they all gave up hope. The next experiment he saved them right before they were going to drown. He let them out and let their heart rates go back down to normal. Then he replaced them back in the water and they lasted 60 hours. He explained how in this story how a little big of hope can dramatically change things. He used this story to encourage readers to keep on fighting the good fight. He explained the power in facing our fears and how failing at something can still provide us lessons that change our lives. He shared how he at first failed at planting a church but he choose not to give up.
I would recommend this awesome book to anyone who is ready to give up the power of people pleasing and fearing what man thinks of you. I loved the principles presented in this book and how we can live with the mindset of not my circus in dealing with letting things we can’t control go.
November 4, 2026
# Finding Strength, Peace, and Purpose in a Chaotic World
★★★★★
*Not My Circus: Living with Courage, Conviction, and Compassion in a World of Chaos* is an inspiring and thought-provoking book that speaks to the importance of maintaining personal values while navigating life's unpredictable challenges. Its central message is especially meaningful in a world where constant demands, difficult relationships, and unexpected situations can easily leave people feeling overwhelmed.
What I appreciate most about the book's central idea is the reminder that we cannot control everything happening around us. Learning when to become involved, when to establish boundaries, and when to let go of unnecessary worries is an important part of personal growth. The emphasis on courage, conviction, and compassion creates a meaningful balance between standing firmly for what matters and treating others with understanding.
Another appealing aspect is the encouragement to approach difficult circumstances with greater emotional strength. Life does not always unfold according to our expectations, and other people's choices are not always within our influence. Developing the ability to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively can make a significant difference in everyday life.
I particularly appreciate the importance placed on compassion alongside personal boundaries. Protecting one's peace does not mean becoming indifferent or unkind. It means recognizing personal limits while continuing to approach others with patience, dignity, and respect. This is a valuable perspective that readers can carry into their relationships, workplaces, and personal decisions.
Overall, this book offers an encouraging reminder to focus on what truly deserves our energy and attention. Its message about living intentionally, remaining grounded, and finding strength amid uncertainty makes it an appealing choice for readers interested in personal development. A meaningful, uplifting, and worthwhile read that deserves five stars for its thoughtful message and practical life perspective.
★★★★★
*Not My Circus: Living with Courage, Conviction, and Compassion in a World of Chaos* is an inspiring and thought-provoking book that speaks to the importance of maintaining personal values while navigating life's unpredictable challenges. Its central message is especially meaningful in a world where constant demands, difficult relationships, and unexpected situations can easily leave people feeling overwhelmed.
What I appreciate most about the book's central idea is the reminder that we cannot control everything happening around us. Learning when to become involved, when to establish boundaries, and when to let go of unnecessary worries is an important part of personal growth. The emphasis on courage, conviction, and compassion creates a meaningful balance between standing firmly for what matters and treating others with understanding.
Another appealing aspect is the encouragement to approach difficult circumstances with greater emotional strength. Life does not always unfold according to our expectations, and other people's choices are not always within our influence. Developing the ability to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively can make a significant difference in everyday life.
I particularly appreciate the importance placed on compassion alongside personal boundaries. Protecting one's peace does not mean becoming indifferent or unkind. It means recognizing personal limits while continuing to approach others with patience, dignity, and respect. This is a valuable perspective that readers can carry into their relationships, workplaces, and personal decisions.
Overall, this book offers an encouraging reminder to focus on what truly deserves our energy and attention. Its message about living intentionally, remaining grounded, and finding strength amid uncertainty makes it an appealing choice for readers interested in personal development. A meaningful, uplifting, and worthwhile read that deserves five stars for its thoughtful message and practical life perspective.
October 22, 2026
Mark Batterson has obviously given much thought and research into the manner in which Christians can remain spiritually healthy, avoid being transformed by the world, and respond to others in a Christ-like way while interacting on social media and in person within our current social environment. Does he make it sound easy? No, but he does make it sound,with a great deal of intentionality, possible.
Batterson packs a great deal of information into 314 pages, but he does add phrases, mnemonic devices of sorts, to help readers retain the essence of the principles he is teaching. Still, this is a book that readers will likely want to revisit as they encounter situations that leave them pondering the best way to respond. Batterson covers a lot of topics which fall under a large umbrella, and seamlessly moves between those topics. He includes enough humor to sweeten the lessons, making them more palatable, and reduces defensive responses to some of those which may hit very close to home.
I highly recommend this book as a resource for Christians living in today's society. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Not My Circus from Penguin Random House Christian Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Batterson packs a great deal of information into 314 pages, but he does add phrases, mnemonic devices of sorts, to help readers retain the essence of the principles he is teaching. Still, this is a book that readers will likely want to revisit as they encounter situations that leave them pondering the best way to respond. Batterson covers a lot of topics which fall under a large umbrella, and seamlessly moves between those topics. He includes enough humor to sweeten the lessons, making them more palatable, and reduces defensive responses to some of those which may hit very close to home.
I highly recommend this book as a resource for Christians living in today's society. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of Not My Circus from Penguin Random House Christian Publishing via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Netgalley and Multnomah, for allowing me to read ARC of this book
Not My Circus: Living with Courage, Conviction, and Compassion in a World of Chaos is another great book, as we are living in a world where conviction and compassion can be at a minimum. One wrong word could get you cancelled. Mark Batterson is calling Christians to be bold in their faith and live with courage. He is encouraging Christians to follow what the Gospel is telling us and listen to the other side. He brought the same level of research as he has done with all his previous books and used scientific discoveries to support theological viewpoints. This book balanced compassion and being courageous to speak the truth without losing compassion for the people whose viewpoints differ. He encourages the reader to listen and read from the opposite viewpoint and not be quick to dismiss their points.
Not My Circus: Living with Courage, Conviction, and Compassion in a World of Chaos is another great book, as we are living in a world where conviction and compassion can be at a minimum. One wrong word could get you cancelled. Mark Batterson is calling Christians to be bold in their faith and live with courage. He is encouraging Christians to follow what the Gospel is telling us and listen to the other side. He brought the same level of research as he has done with all his previous books and used scientific discoveries to support theological viewpoints. This book balanced compassion and being courageous to speak the truth without losing compassion for the people whose viewpoints differ. He encourages the reader to listen and read from the opposite viewpoint and not be quick to dismiss their points.
October 24, 2026
With so many voices, opinions, and distractions competing for our attention, I think the conversation behind Not My Circus is especially relevant.
Mark Batterson explores what it means to live faithfully in a culture that often encourages division, outrage, and conformity. Drawing from Romans 12:2, the book invites readers to consider how we can remain grounded in Christ without withdrawing from the world around us.
I’m particularly interested in the emphasis on spiritual discernment and learning to recognize which responsibilities are truly ours to carry.
As someone who spends time on social media, this is a topic I’ve been thinking about quite a bit lately.
I’m looking forward to exploring the book’s biblical perspective on engaging with others through both conviction and grace.
Thank you to Multnomah and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Mark Batterson explores what it means to live faithfully in a culture that often encourages division, outrage, and conformity. Drawing from Romans 12:2, the book invites readers to consider how we can remain grounded in Christ without withdrawing from the world around us.
I’m particularly interested in the emphasis on spiritual discernment and learning to recognize which responsibilities are truly ours to carry.
As someone who spends time on social media, this is a topic I’ve been thinking about quite a bit lately.
I’m looking forward to exploring the book’s biblical perspective on engaging with others through both conviction and grace.
Thank you to Multnomah and NetGalley for the advance copy.
October 26, 2026
We live in a crazy world. How do we do it? Batterson says it takes courage, spiritual discernment and grace. He encourages readers to set boundaries, to recognize that which is not our responsibility. We are to mind our own business so we can be about the Father's business.
His suggestions are so helpful. He illustrates his teaching with great examples and interesting stories. This is a good book for living in this crazy time.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.
His suggestions are so helpful. He illustrates his teaching with great examples and interesting stories. This is a good book for living in this crazy time.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.
October 28, 2026
This might be Batterson's best book yet! If not the best, certainly the most timely. While most of his previous books are shaped around a major theme or main idea, Not My Circus spans the whole spectrum of hot topics in culture today. What I love most is that he doesn't beat around the bush, he faces everything head on and with conviction....it is refreshing! I also like that it is broken down into 40 short chapters...it gives you time to digest and reflect. This is a much needed book right now!
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