
Life is full of challenges and obstacles. Often, it may be hard to find the strength you need to tackle them and go after what you want.
Words have the power to motivate, comfort and support someone in need. And by choosing the right words of encouragement, you can uplift a friend’s spirits.
Our encouraging words can help your friend pull through a tough time or overcome adversity.
From Oprah Winfrey to Maya Angelou, the individuals behind these quotes have risen above their challenges and persevered. Their uplifting verses can make a difference in your friend’s life.
We are sure these words of encouragement will offer your friend the love, support and willpower they need to keep going.
Best Words of Encouragement For A Friend
Whether your friend is having a difficult time at work or has suffered a setback in their personal life, it’s on you to keep their spirits up. Below are some of the best words of encouragement, that can be used to brighten up their day and keep them going.
“Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy.” – Norman Vincent Peale
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘you cannot paint’ then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh

“Do the one thing you think you cannot do. Fail at it. Try again. Do better the second time. The only people who never tumble are those who never mount the high wire. This is your moment. Own it.” – Oprah Winfrey
“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney
“You can’t just sit there and wait for people to give you that golden dream. You’ve got to get out there and make it happen for yourself.” – Diana Ross
“Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance. Great dancers are not great because of their technique, they are great because of their passion.” – Martha Graham
“Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston S. Churchill
God placed you in this life because He knows you are strong enough to live it. You are strong enough to do anything you set your mind to. So, don’t feel discouraged because you can do this!
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail.” – Nelson Mandela
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway. You’ll be damned if you do and damned if you don’t.” – Eleanor Roosevelt
“You can only become truly accomplished at something you love. Don’t make money your goal. Instead, pursue the things you love doing, and then do them so well that people can’t take their eyes off you.” – Maya Angelou
“Don’t be too timid and squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
“It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all, in which case you have failed by default.” – J.K. Rowling

“Set your goals high and don’t stop ‘til you get there.” – Bo Jackson
You have the integrity and the drive to do anything you’ve set your mind to. You have worked hard for this moment. Don’t give up; keep pushing through.
“The most effective way to do it, is to do it.” – Amelia Earhart
There is no better way to go after what you want than to start today. Whether it’s an idea, a business plan or a new job, put it to practice today. Take it a step at a time to help you reach your dream.
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think and loved more than you’ll ever know.” – A.A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh
“Be encouraged no matter what’s going on!” – Chance the Rapper
“A man can be as great as he wants to be. If you believe in yourself and have the courage, the determination, the dedication, the competitive drive and if you are willing to sacrifice the little things in life and pay the price for the things that are worthwhile, it can be done.” – Vince Lombardi
“Get going. Move forward. Aim high. Plan a take-off. Don’t just sit on the runway and hope someone will come along and push the airplane. It simply won’t happen. Change your attitude and gain some altitude. Believe me, you’ll love it up here.” – Donald Trump
No matter how many times you fall or lose your spark, remember to pick yourself up, dust yourself off and continue until you find your spark again.
“The sun himself is weak when he first rises and gathers strength and courage as the day gets on.” – Charles Dickens

There will be times when you will go through difficulties. It’s not because you are doing something wrong, but because you are actually doing something right.
“Everyone has inside them a piece of good news. The good news is that you don’t know how great you can be! How much you can love! What you can accomplish! And what your potential is!” – Anne Frank
“God changes caterpillars into butterflies, sand into pearls and coal into diamonds using time and pressure. He’s working on you too.” – Rick Warren
“The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.” – Mark Caine
“Often we women are risk averse. I needed the push. Now, more than ever, young women need more seasoned women to provide that encouragement, to take a risk, to go for it. Once a glass ceiling is broken, it stays broken.” – Jennifer Granholm
“When you get tired, learn to rest, not quit.” – Banksy
“Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden
Even though it gets tiring to do the same thing every day, you have to keep going because when success knocks on your door, everything you did will be worth the hard work and effort.
“Stop worrying about how it’s gonna happen and start believing that it will.” – Michaela Olexova
“People throw rocks at things that shine.” – Taylor Swift
“Never let the odds keep you from doing what you know in your heart you were meant to do.” – H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Don’t stop dreaming because nothing is impossible for you. Keep believing in yourself, and everything will be just fine in the end.
“Always keep your eyes open. Keep watching. Because whatever you see can inspire you.” – Grace Coddington
“Between you and every goal that you wish to achieve, there is a series of obstacles, and the bigger the goal, the bigger the obstacles. Your decision to be, have and do something out of the ordinary entails facing difficulties and challenges that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else.” – Brian Tracy
Don’t just sit around and wait for opportunities to come your way. You need to start moving and make these opportunities happen.
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself in any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go.” – Dr. Seuss
Words Of Encouragement For A Friend Going Through Hard Times
If your friend is going through a difficult time in their life, use some of these words of encouragement below to let them know that you’re there for them. You can also use them as a way to offer a small degree of comfort to make them feel better.
“Nothing is impossible, the word itself says ‘I’m possible’!” – Audrey Hepburn
Nothing in this world is permanent. Everything comes and goes. What you are going through will not be like this forever. Like the phoenix, you will rise from the ashes and soar. Don’t lose hope.
“Difficulties in your life do not come to destroy you but to help you realize your hidden potential and power. Let difficulties know that you are too difficult.” – Abdul Kalam
“Keep your face always towards the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you.” – Walt Whitman

“Be thankful for the hard times, for they have made you.” – Leonardo DiCaprio
“You’re not defined by your past; you’re prepared by it. You’re stronger, more experienced, and you have greater confidence.” – Joel Osteen
“Soon, when all is well, you’re going to look back on this period of your life and be so glad that you never gave up.” – Brittany Burgunder
I know you’re going through a rough patch but I just wanted you to know that I am here as your cheerleader and friend, and will constantly cheer you on!
“When life knocks you down, try to land on your back because if you can look up, you can get up.” – Les Brown
“Never let your head hang down. Never give up and sit down and grieve. Find another way. And don’t pray when it rains if you don’t pray when the sun shines.” – Leroy Satchel Paige
“Tough times never last, but tough people do.” – Robert H. Schuller
Even though your world is falling apart, don’t give up. You can always pick up the broken pieces and put them together to make it as good as new.
“Tears are a river that takes you somewhere… tears lift your boat off the ground, carrying it downriver to someplace better.” – Clarissa Pinkola Estés
“You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.” – Pema Chodron
“When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot, and hang on.” – Franklin D Roosevelt

“Sometimes when you are in a dark place, you think you have been buried, but actually you have been planted.” – Christine Caine
“When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming.” – Dory, Finding Nemo
The struggle and tough times you are currently going through are helping you to develop the strength you need to keep going. Keep going no matter what!
“Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination. The best is yet to come.” – Zig Ziglar
God will never set you up to fail because He wants you to succeed. God will never put you through a situation that you can’t handle. He believes that you are capable of getting through this.
“The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value. I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress and grow and grow brave by reflection.” – Thomas Paine
There is always a reason behind life getting harder. You might be going through a difficult time now, but it will make you wiser and stronger. You are a fighter, and you will overcome the hardships in life.
“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” – C. S. Lewis

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
“You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you rise from, how you can still come out of it.” – Maya Angelou
If you feel like you’re drowning in life, don’t worry because your Lifeguard walks on water to rescue you. Just trust in Him and you’ll be able to swim again.
“Strength does not come from winning. Your struggles develop your strengths. When you go through hardships and decide not to surrender, that is strength.” – Arnold Schwarzenegger
“Everything will be OK in the end, if it’s not OK, it’s not the end.” – John Lennon
“In the end, some of your greatest pains become your greatest strengths.” – Drew Barrymore
“When you feel like giving up, remember why you held on for so long in the first place.” – Unknown
“It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed.” – Doe Zantamata
Don’t let a tough situation bring out the worst in you. Remain positive, make the best out of it, and you’ll come out a stronger and better person.
“Courage does not always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.” – Mary Anne Radmacher
“There are moments when troubles enter our lives and we can do nothing to avoid them. but they are there for a reason. Only when we have overcome them will we understand why they were there.” – Paulo Coelho
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” – Joseph Kennedy
“Inside of a ring or out, ain’t nothing wrong with going down. It’s staying down that’s wrong.” – Muhammad Ali
Biblical Words Of Encouragement and Strength For A Friend
Biblical words of encouragement and strength can be used to uplift your friends in a time of need. It can also be used to reassure them that God will be there for them every step of the way through life’s challenges, and with hope in God, all things are possible.
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Romans 15:5
“May our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our father, who loved us and by His grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope.” – II Thessalonians 2:16
“And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one He loves and He chastens everyone He accepts as His son.” – Hebrews 12:5-6
“Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” – Psalms 37:4 (Of David)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
“But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” – Matthew 14:27
“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.” – Isaiah 41:10
“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him.” – Psalms 28:7 (Of David)
“So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” – Matthew 10:31

“And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – I Peter 5:10
“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” – II Timothy 1:7
“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.” – Exodus 14:13
“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.” – Psalms 34:4 (Of David)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” – Isaiah 43:2
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” – Psalms 18:32
“I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – II Corinthians 12:9-10
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”” – Mark 10:27
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.” – Isaiah 40:29
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” – I Corinthians 16:13

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6
“Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always.” – I Chronicles 16:11
“It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.” – II Samuel 22:33
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalms 46:1 (Of David)
“I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being.” – Ephesians 3:16
Humorous Words Of Encouragement For A Friend
Humorous words of encouragement can be used to put a smile on your friend’s face and make them laugh. If your friend is in need of inspiration, you can use one of the funny yet inspirational quotes below to turn their frown upside down.
“The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs, one step at a time.” – Joe Girard
“People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.” – Winnie the Pooh
“It took me fifteen years to discover I had no talent for writing, but I couldn’t give it up because by that time I was too famous.” – Robert Benchley
“Opportunity does not knock; it presents itself when you beat down the door.” – Kyle Chandler

“So as long as your desire to explore is greater than your desire to not screw up, you’re on the right track.” – Ed Helms
“By working faithfully eight hours a day, you may eventually get to be boss and work twelve hours a day.” – Robert Frost
“It’s okay to look at the past and the future. Just don’t stare.” – Lisa Lieberman-Wang
“Whatever you do, always give 100%. Unless you’re donating blood.” – Bill Murray
“Today me will live in the moment unless it’s unpleasant, in which case me will eat a cookie.” – Cookie Monster
“Even if you’re on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there.” – Will Rodgers
“You can’t shine like a diamond until you are ready to be cut like a diamond. No pressure, no prize! Get comfortable being uncomfortable!” – Eric Thomas
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” – Thomas A. Edison
“Do not take life too seriously. You will never get out of it alive.” – Elbert Hubbard
“Follow your passion. Stay true to yourself. Never follow someone else’s path unless you’re in the woods and you’re lost and you see a path. By all means, you should follow that.” – Ellen DeGeneres
“If plan A doesn’t work, the alphabet has 25 more letters – 204 if you’re in Japan.” – Claire Cook

“Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow.” – Mark Twain
“If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.” – Yogi Berra
“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” – Zig Ziglar
“Life is a blank canvas, and you need to throw all the paint on it you can.” – Danny Kaye
“If life gives you lemons, make some kind of fruity juice.” – Conan O’Brien
“When life puts you in a tough situation, don’t say ‘Why me?’, say ‘Try me’.” – Lisa Lieberman-Wang
The road that will lead you to success is currently under construction but give it some time, you’ll be back on it in no time.
If someone tells you that you can’t do it, make sure to do it more than once and take pictures.
“If you think you are too small to be effective, you have never been in the dark with a mosquito.” – Betty Reese

“Bravery is the ability to look fear and hurt in the face and say, ‘move aside, you’re in the way’.” – Melissa Tumino
“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” – Milton Berle
“When you’re out of willpower, you call on stubbornness, that’s the trick.” – Henri Matisse
“Live each day like it’s your second to the last. That way you can fall asleep at night.” – Jason Love
“There are two ways to pass a hurdle: leaping over or ploughing through… there needs to be a monster truck option.” – Jeph Jacques
“There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.” – Mark Twain
If you could believe in the tooth fairy and Santa Claus when you were a child, I’m pretty sure you can believe in yourself now, even if it’s just for a short while.
“You can’t be that kid standing at the top of the water slide overthinking it. You have to go down the chute.” – Tina Fey
Encouraging Words For A Friend Who Lost A Loved One
It’s never easy finding the right words to express your sympathy and condolences. However, by using these uplifting words, you can let your friend know that you are there for them through their loss. You can use these messages for a sweet sympathy card or a text message.
“The remembrance of the good done those we have loved is the only consolation when we have lost them.” – Demoustier
“Those we love and lose are always connected by heartstrings into infinity.” – Terri Guillemets
“Nothing will ever take away our memories. May your memories be ones that give you comfort and reminders of happier times.” – Catherine Pulsifer
Do not fill your life with tears, but instead, let the memories you have of your loved one comfort you and help you remember all the lovely years.
“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.” – Helen Keller
“Say not in grief that they are gone but give thanks that they were yours.” – Hebrew Proverb
“At the blueness of the skies and in the warmth of summer, we remember them.” – Sylvan Kamens & Rabbi Jack Reimer

“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” – J.M Barrie
“I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories. We find comfort in knowing that our lives have been enriched by having shared their love.” – Leo Buscaglia
“A great soul serves everyone all the time. A great soul never dies. It brings us together again and again.” – Maya Angelou
“You will lose someone who you can’t live without, and your heart will be badly broken, and the bad news is that you never completely get over the loss of your beloved. But this is also the good news. They live forever in your broken heart that doesn’t seal back up. And you come through. It’s like having a broken leg that never heals perfectly – that still hurts when the weather gets cold, but you learn to dance with the limp.” – Anne Lamott
“Words seem so feeble in moments like these. Life is so precious, and death is such a thief. The depth of your pain I cannot comprehend, but I’ll stand alongside you in the darkness, my friend. Love is a bond that death cannot part. Gone from your arms, but still held in your heart.” – John Mark Green
“When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.” – Kahlil Gibran

“After a loved one passes, be encouraged by their passing and legacy. Instead of crying, live an inspired, spiritual and happy life like they did when they were here. Live each day with encouragement knowing that they are proud and smiling down on you from Heaven.” – Matt Fraser
“Relationships can be strengthened through the veil with people we know and love. That is done by our determined effort to continually do what is right. We can strengthen our relationship with the departed individual we love by recognizing that the separation is temporary and that covenants made in the temple are eternal. When consistently obeyed, such covenants assure the eternal realization of the promises inherent in them.” – Elder Richard G. Scott
“Death is nothing else but going home to God, the bond of love will be unbroken for all eternity.” – Mother Teresa
Summary
Everyone needs encouragement now and then as a reminder that they are valued and to assure them that the sun will still come out on the rainiest of days.
Your friends too need to have a support system when overcoming the challenges life throws at them.
Choosing the perfect words of encouragement for a friend can be a wonderful experience for both of you. You’ll feel happy giving them your full support, and your friend will feel the love and motivation to push through.
Encouraging words are not just words to be thought about but to act on and used whenever your friend needs cheering up. There’s nothing like some loving words for your best friend, when they are feeling down.
You can help encourage your friend by turning any of the quotes and verses mentioned above into greeting cards, text messages or can even be shared on social media as a post.
We hope that these thoughtful, encouraging messages will help your friend turn tides and keep them hopeful about life.
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