A Bible Verse When Life Shakes Us Up
Has life tried to shake you up? What if there’s a Bible verse containing the perfect antidote to help us?
Friend, there is.
Because life sure gives us plenty of things that shake us.
Maybe we lose a job. This has happened to me.
Or a dear loved one passes away. Yes, my dad, grandparents, a baby I miscarried, and a few friends are all in heaven with Jesus.
Perhaps our child turns wayward and it turns our world upside down.
Also, broken relationships or a hurting marriage rob our inner joy and peace.
Finally, a troubling medical diagnosis or crisis happens to us or a loved one. You know my hand’s raised on this one with my husband’s journey since his heart attack last November. I’m just thankful he’s still with us even though by all medical standards he should have never made it. Glory to God!
Each of these and others can leave us shaking in our boots or whatever our choice of footwear. Because they leave us shaking on the inside, too.
A Bible Verse
Yet, in twenty short words, a Bible verse in God’s Word shows us how to overcome in the shaken-up department. And it offers a two-fold plan to keep us stable and grounded.
“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, this Bible verse gives us the how-to for transforming from our shaken-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)
This is how we set the Lord before us: we come into His presence daily and offer “acceptable worship.”
God is set before us and not the world. Our focus is on Him. Yet, don’t miss this. Circumstances never squeeze out God’s ever-present awe and wonder in our hearts and lives.
Still, the choice is ours whether He is before us or on the sidelines of our life. And if we want to live with a shaken heart and soul.
The choice is ours whether God is before us or on the sidelines of our life. #blog Share on XWhat or Who is at My Right Hand? – Bible Verse
(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.
If I keep God at my right hand, I will not be shaken. (Psalm 16:8) Share on XWhen Life Has Me Shaking
Sure, the world offers us other choices to set before us or our go-to at our right hand. But they don’t and never will keep us from being shaken.
For present and future times when life threatens to shake me:
I set the Lord before me.
I keep God at my right hand.
So it’s the Bible verse with the perfect antidote for anytime life tries to shake us.
Featured images courtesy of Friday’s Forever on YouTube.
Last week’s post, 12 Comforting Truths During Mike’s Hospital Stay.
Sometimes I participate in these link-ups: Let’s Have Coffee/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth).
© 2026 by Karen Friday, All rights reserved
God before us and at our right hand . . . That’s where our focus should always be if we don’t wish to be shaken or alarmed by the hard things in our lives. Beautifully said here, Karen. Blessings, my friend!
Thank you, Martha. Psalm 16:8 is one of my favorites.The choice is ours whether He is before us or on the sidelines of our life. God bless!
Yes! A perfect verse and a lovely reminder that we must daily spend time with Him in the word and prayer to strengthen our faith and relationship with Him so when our world gets shaken we can grab onto Him and His promises and He holds our hand through it all.
Still praying for you both and praising God with you.
Well said, Susan. I also like how 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)
And thanks for the prayers. God bless.
Keeping God at our right hand helps to remind me that He is holding us up in His right hand.
Isaiah 41:10 is a go to for me.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (NIV).
Thank you so much for your posts each week. Continuing prayers for Mike and you and all the family.
Hey Regina, I love those verses about God’s hand as well. Thanks for sharing them here. And for your continued prayers. God bless. The Lord gives us the most help. Because the Lord is at our right hand, we will not be shaken.
Amen Karen. He is always with us.
We continue to pray for Mike (and you!)
God bless
Michelle, you all bless us with your prayers and words of encouragement. Circumstances never squeeze out God’s ever-present awe and wonder in our hearts and lives.
There are times when life is shaken. But, we can find promise and peace in the love of God. Praying for you both. Blessings.
Melissa, like how you said, “we can find promise and peace in the love of God.” Yes! Thank you for continued prayers, God bless.
Will uphold you and Mike in prayers. Pl let me if you need donations for your ministries. May God bless you both. Have a blessed weekend.
Thanks for the prayers, James. Very kind comment. God bless you! “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” Psalm 16:8 (ESV)
Wonderful verses for difficult times Karen and you’ve been through so much. Years ago, when I struggled with problems, God gave me Romans 8:28 to help carry me through. Thanks Karen for the wonderful encouragement.
Yes, Yvonne, Romans 8:28 is close to my heart, too. We trust God will bring good to us some way and some how during difficult times. He carries us through every hard circumstance and valley we walk through. God bless.
Thanks so much for this encouragement, Karen. What a comfort to remember that when our world’s are shaking, our ever-present God remains unshakable. I’m so glad your husband is still with you!
It is indeed a comfort, Lois. Thank you. I tell people we were out of town in the ICU for Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, and our pug’s 2 year birthday, but not complaining because we are grateful for the gift of LIFE. He’s a miracle and we give God all the glory. God bless.
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Thank you for sharing the Scriptures that help anchor your faith, Karen. You are facing giants, but with God, you are walking through with victory. Praise God for the miracles He has performed in Mike’s life! Prayers continuing!
Love how you said, “You are facing giants, but with God, you are walking through with victory.” Amen! Thank you, Melissa. God bless.
Amen to this. I want God going before me. I want him to be THE CENTER of my life, not a sidenote!
Jessica, I pray to keep the Lord always before me. And Him instead of someone or something. God bless.
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