I’m all shook up.
Our Dachshund, Sadie, visits the veterinarian for yearly shots and a physical. But as soon as we pull into the parking lot, all sixteen pounds of her start shaking.
Often, Sadie tries to make a beeline for the exit. And she stays all shook up until we arrive home.
Decades ago, a song by Elvis conveyed a time when he was all shook up. By what? you may wonder.
A closer look at the lyrics and the mystery is solved. Falling in love shook up Elvis Presley. Needless to say, his famous words relayed a kind of shook up we view in a good and positive light.
All Shook Up
On the down-side, life gives us plenty of not-so-good reasons for when we are all shook up. I’ve experienced each one of these on my list below. Perhaps you relate to a few or all.
- We lose a job.
- Our dear loved one passes away.
- Our child turns wayward and it turns our world upside down.
- We receive a troubling medical diagnosis for ourselves or a family member.
- Broken relationships or a hurting marriage rob our inner joy and peace.
- Because of unmet dreams, we sob into our pillow at bedtime.
- An injury inflicted upon our soul seems to never go away.
Each of these and others leave us shaking in our boots or whatever our choice of footwear.
2-step Plan for When We’re All Shook Up
In twenty short words, God’s Word shows us how to overcome in the shaken-up department. And it’s not by combing through lyrics to a love song. But this Scripture offers a two-fold plan to keep us stable and grounded with a steady heart.
“I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” (Psalm 16:8, ESV)
With a closer look at the words of David, inspired by God, the mystery is solved. Here’s how to transform from our all-shook-up mentality to God’s I-will-not-be-shaken mindset.
What or Who is Set Before Me?
(1.) Set the Lord always before me. Not sometimes. Not when we feel like it. And not if we have time. Always.
The book of Hebrews assures we have received “a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe.” (Hebrews 12:28, ESV)
[bctt tweet=”Since we received a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe. Hebrews 12:28 @FridayKaren #WorshipGod #blog ” username=”PatHolbrook”]
This is how we set the Lord before us: We come into His presence daily and often to offer “acceptable worship.”
God is set before us and not the world. Our focus is on Him. Yet, don’t miss this. We choose not to let our circumstances squeeze out God’s presence, awe and wonder in our hearts and lives.
The choice is ours whether God is before us or on the sidelines of our life. And it’s our choice whether we have a steady heart or if we are all shook up.
[bctt tweet=”The choice is ours whether #God is before us or on the sidelines of our life. And it’s our choice whether we have a steady heart or if we are all shook up. @FridayKaren #blog ” username=”PatHolbrook”]
What or Who is at My Right Hand?
(2.) Make sure the Lord stays at my right hand. Keeping the Lord at our right hand is the “because” factor we find in our focal verse.
It reminds me of the vast Scriptures speaking of God’s right hand as mighty and righteous and saving (a wonderful word study).
Just like the adage, He was my right hand man! means someone who helps and supports us the most (Cambridge dictionary online). David makes it clear in Psalm 16. God is his right-hand God.
And God is our right-hand God.
The Lord gives us the most help. Because the Lord is at our right hand, we will not be shaken.
When Life Has Me All Shook Up
For present and future times when life threatens to shake me up:
I set the Lord before me.
I keep God at my right hand.
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I love this, Karen! In circumstances and swirling thoughts that threaten to shake us, how we need simple truth to ground us and turn our focus to Him.
Hey Barbara, so glad the Lord gave us the antidote for when life shakes us up. It takes intentionality, but it is doable when we set the Lord before us and keep Him at our right hand. Thanks for adding your thoughts!
We need to constantly remind ourselves of this simple truth as it will keep us on steady ground always. Thank you for sharing this post today!
And oh how I need steady and stable ground often, Joanne! Grateful we have received a kingdom that cannot be shaken even if everything around us seems unsure.
Isn’t it amazing how simple His instructions usually are? Yet I am so quick to dismiss them, looking for something else to anchor me.
Thank you for reminding me today!
Rebecca, I like how you brought up “looking for something elese to anchor me.” This has been my problem in the past. Yet, those false anchors never hold…especially when it comes to my fragile heart. Thank God for His sure and steady anchor…Himself!
Karen,
Oh, how I love the righteous right hand of the Lord that always holds onto me (even if it’s by the scruff of my neck). Joining with you in not letting the world squeeze out God’s presence. Setting Him before me and taking hold of His hand will prevent life from shaking me up! Great reminder this am!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Thanks, Bev! And Amen, friend! When we set the Lord before us, then… BECAUSE He is at our right hand, we WILL NOT BE SHAKEN! Hallelujah!
My little dog is the same way! She wont even take a treat at the vet. And yes I do the same, life’s struggles pop up and I go to fear and worry before I run to the Lord. I love this idea of setting Him before me, always/continually, and keeping Him at my right hand. He holds us with His righteous right hand, so we should never be far from Him. Great post Karen, Many Thanks 8)
Hi Debra, I surmise most dogs don’t like to visit the vet as much as we never really enjoy going to the doctor. I’m just glad the good Lord provided a way for us to overcome in the shaken up department. Lord, we set you before us and keep you at our right hand. Amen.
Thank for joining the conversation.
God is our right-hand God! Praise Him! So thankful He HELPs us so freely and graciously so we are not shaken. Thanks for this, Karen!
Glad this encouraged you, Bethany! The Lord gives us the most help. We don’t have to be all shook up! 🙂
I shall not be shaken. I needed that reminder today. laurensparks.net
Awesome, Lauren. Yes! I. Will. Not. Be. Shaken. Thank you, Lord!