by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
There are moments in life when everything feels upside down—when hope seems lost, and even our best attempts at control crumble. 💔 In these moments, we often reach a point of surrender, realizing that we can’t make sense of our circumstances without God. My latest poem, Hold Onto You, was born out of one of these moments of confusion and dependence on Jesus.
As I reflected on the words, I realized just how much biblical truth had woven itself into the verses. Each line is a reflection of God’s promises and the examples He’s given us in Scripture—examples of people who held onto Him when nothing else made sense. ✨ Below are a few of the key biblical themes that inspired this poem.
1. Clinging to God in Desperation 🙏
The repeated refrain, “All hope is lost / I feel sick and confused / My heart must hold onto You,” captures that feeling of helplessness that so many of us experience in dark times. It reminds me of the psalmist in Psalm 42:5, who asks, “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Put your hope in God.” Even in moments when we can’t see a way forward, we’re called to hold onto Him.
2. God Calms Our Storms 🌊
The line “Unless you calm my seas again” brings to mind Jesus calming the storm in Matthew 8. Just as He spoke peace over the wind and waves, He speaks peace into the chaos of our lives. When the seas of anxiety or uncertainty rise, He is still the One who calms the storm and restores our sense of balance.
3. The Woman at the Well 💧
In the poem, I wrote, “Let me be the woman at your well.” This is a direct reference to the Samaritan woman in John 4, who received living water from Jesus. Just like her, I long for Jesus to pour His peace, understanding, and anointing into me. When we come to Him empty, He fills us with everything we need.
4. Receiving God’s Anointing and Promises 🌿
The requests for God to “Pour into me your anointing / Pour into me your promises” reflect the biblical truth that God equips us with His Spirit. 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 reminds us that He anoints us and sets His seal of ownership on us, filling us with His promises to strengthen and sustain us through every season.
5. Sitting at Jesus’ Feet 🌸
The line, “I am sitting at your feet waiting,” reflects the humble posture of Mary in Luke 10, who sat at the feet of Jesus, soaking in His teaching. In moments of confusion, we’re invited to do the same—to sit in His presence and receive His wisdom, because our own understanding often fails us.
6. God as Our Rock ⛰️
The poem closes with the imagery of God as “the rock beneath my feet,” which echoes Psalm 62:6: “He is my rock and my salvation.” When everything around us feels uncertain, God remains our firm foundation, unshakeable and true.
Here is the full poem that reflects these themes:
Hold Onto You
by Jennifer Greene-Sullivan
All hope is lost
I feel sick and confused
My heart must hold onto You
All hope is lost
I feel sick and confused
My heart must hold onto You
Because nothing seems right
Unless you calm my seas again
In this moment I can barely breathe
Let me be the woman at your well
Pour into me your peace
Pour into me your understanding
Pour into me your anointing
Pour into me your promises
Set the heavens in motion once more,
Align the stars in their rightful course,
For only You can guide them and me.
I am sitting at your feet waiting
Jesus, impart to me your wisdom
Because my intellect fails me
When all hope is lost
I feel sick and confused
My heart must hold onto You
For You are the rock beneath my feet,
My anchor in the storm, steady and true.
🌿 A Prayer for You 🌿
Dear Lord,
When hope feels lost and life’s storms rise, help us to remember that You are our firm foundation. You calm our seas, You fill us with Your peace, and You guide us when we’re overwhelmed. Pour Your wisdom and anointing into our hearts, just as You promised. Remind us to sit at Your feet, to listen, and to trust in You when our own understanding falls short. We hold onto You, our rock, our salvation, and our refuge.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Let me know what you think of the poem in the comments!
The Aging English Major 