1 Peter 1:6–8 (NRSV), In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith—being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy”

Today, I saw something very disturbing on TV One news anchor Roland Martin’s Twitter page (@rolandsmartin). A woman who reached her wit’s end tweeted she could not take life anymore and that she was better off dead to her children than alive. It turned out the woman suffers from severe depression and mental illness. Thankfully, people nearby intervened and provided her with immediate help.

I am writing this post today because I want anyone who is suffering from clinical depression or who just feels like giving up to know that there is hope in Jesus Christ. You may be going through a rough season right now, but you will come out of this! We all grow weary, but the Bible admonishes us that we will reap a reward if we don’t faint (Galatians 6:9). Do not give up!

1 Peter 1:3 talks about a “living hope” every believer is birthed into through Jesus Christ. This means that no matter what we are facing today, we can have hope for better days and a greater future. Verse 4 talks about an inheritance we have awaiting us. Don’t give up because you will reap joy for the tears you have sowed, and you have an inheritance in Jesus Christ. The good news is you don’t have to wait until you get to heaven to receive your inheritance. You can have it right now. Joy, peace, love, provision and salvation are available today. If you ask God to show you how you can reap these benefits now, he will show you. Don’t give up! Your due season is coming. It may be winter in your life right now, but spring is coming.

Here is a song that my church in New Jersey used to sing when I was a teenager. It resonates in my heart as I am facing difficult times in my life. My prayer is that it will strengthen your hope in Jesus Christ.