Never Fear, Never Surrender: 36 Motivational Words of Encouragement for Hard Times

Sometimes we feel so down in the dumps that it appears as if the blues will never go away. In those times of hardship, it may seem that no one truly understands us. No one seems to be able to find the right words of encouragement for hard times that could make us feel better.

Regardless of how much our friends and family members care about us, if they cannot relate to our troubles, they cannot help us. In my opinion, times like those call for inspirational words from people who have walked in our shoes and pulled themselves up, only to rise more powerful than ever.

Motivational words of encouragement are an instant pick-me-up. Reading them makes me feel like I am not alone in my problems. For that reason, I want to share with you the best quotes to keep you going, face the challenges, learn from your failures, and find your inner strength.

Motivational Words of Encouragement for Hard Times

Quotes on Never Giving Up

#1. “A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose — a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve.” — John Maxwell

#2. “Dream as if you’ll live forever, live as if you’ll die today.” — James Dean

#3. “Even if happiness forgets you a little bit, never completely forget about it.” — Jacques Prevert

#4. “It doesn’t matter how slow you go, as long as you don’t stop.” — Confucius

#5. “Life is like riding a bicycle, in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.” — Albert Einstein

#6. “Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way.” — Leroy Satchel Paige

Quotes on Learning from One’s Mistakes

#7. “I am grateful for all of my problems. After each one was overcome, I became stronger and more able to meet those that were still to come. I grew in all my difficulties.” — James Cash Penney

#8. “I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.” — Louisa May Alcott

#9. “In times of great stress or adversity, it’s always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.” — Lee Iacocca

#10. “It is under the greatest adversity that there exists the greatest potential for doing good, both for oneself and others.” — Dalai Lama

#11. “Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” — Bernice Johnson Reagon

#12. “Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.” — Lou Holtz

Find Your Inner Strength Quotes

#13. “A truly strong person does not need the approval of others any more than a lion needs the approval of sheep.” — Vernon Howard

#14. “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” — Mary Anne Radmacher

#15. “He knows not his own strength who hath not met adversity.” — William Samuel Johnson

#16. “Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

#17. “I ask not for a lighter burden, but for broader shoulders.” — Jewish Proverb

#18. “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” — Albert Camus

#19. “It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends.” — J.K. Rowling

#20. “Sometimes you don’t realize your own strength until you come face to face with your greatest weakness.” — Susan Gale

#21. “You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”  —Bob Marley

Quotes on Facing the Challenges

#22. “A problem is a chance for you to do your best.” — Duke Ellington

#23. “Anyone can hide. Facing up to things, working through them, that’s what makes you strong.” — Sarah Dessen

#24. “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for.” — John A. Shedd

#25. “Inside of a ring or out, ain’t nothing wrong with going down. It’s staying down that’s wrong.” — Muhammad Ali

#26. “No matter how bad things are, you can always make things worse.” — Randy Pausch

#27. “Nothing is more beautiful than the smile that has struggled through the tears.” — Demi Lovato

#28. “Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.” — Michael Jordan

Iconic Words of Encouragement for Hard Times

#29. “At times the world may seem an unfriendly and sinister place, but believe that there is much more good in it than bad. All you have to do is look hard enough. And what might seem to be a series of unfortunate events may in fact be the first steps of a journey.” — Lemony Snicket

#30. “If you don’t like something change it; if you can’t change it, change the way you think about it.” — Mary Engelbreit

#31. “Prosperity makes friends, adversity tries them.” — Publilius Syrus

#32. “The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them.” — Unknown

#33. “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” ― Coco Chanel

#34. “The friend in my adversity I shall always cherish most. I can better trust those who helped to relieve the gloom of my dark hours than those who are so ready to enjoy with me the sunshine of my prosperity.” — Ulysses S. Grant

#35. “Things turn out the best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.” — John Wooden

#36. “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow, it only saps today of its joy.” — Leo Buscaglia

Final Thoughts

All in all, whatever hardships come your way, don’t forget to keep moving forward. Learn from your mistakes instead of letting them hinder you. Face the setbacks that life throws your way and find the power within you to turn the tables. Eventually, the dark clouds will lift. Embrace every moment in life and all the pain will seem like nothing but an illusion.

I hope you enjoyed my selection of motivational words of encouragement for hard times. With luck, I’ve managed to inspire you to take the reins of your life back into your hands. Remember that any problem can be overcome with a little bit of willpower.