Overcoming Hard Times Poems

Published: October 2019

Poems About Perseverance And Overcoming Challenges

Each one of us will face hard times at some point in life. Sometimes the hardships come for a short season, and other times they seem to last longer than anticipated. Even though those moments feel like they are going to break us, we each have incredible strength that can push us forward. Having the determination and mindset to persevere can make all the difference.

Even though the struggles in life are not fun, and we wish we could do without them, they help develop our character. They teach us lessons we would not learn when things are pleasant. Each struggle we overcome is one more that shows us we can make it through anything. We hope these poems inspire you to find the courage to keep fighting whatever you are facing at the moment. Get ready to put the past behind you and embrace the future.

28 Poems About Perseverance And Overcoming Challenges

  1. If

    Famous Poem

    Rudyard Kipling was an English poet who lived from 1865-1936. He also wrote many children's stories. The poem's line, "If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two impostors just the same," is written on the wall of the players' entrance at Wimbledon.

    in Famous Inspirational Poems

    If you can keep your head when all about you
    Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
    If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
    But make allowance for their doubting too:

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    I was never an avid reader nor appreciated poetry most of my life. My dad sent me this poem for my 28th birthday, printed along with a lovely card. Living many miles away from him I often...

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  2. Invictus

    Famous Poem

    We are the master of our destiny. We are responsible for our own happiness. This famous inspirational poem charges us to accept responsibility for our lives no matter our circumstances. Invictus in Latin means unconquered.
    William Ernest Henley (1849-1903), an English Poet, had one of his legs amputated at the age of 17. The poem, which he wrote while healing from the amputation, is a testimony to his refusal to let his handicap disrupt his life. Indeed, he led a meaningful life as a poet and editor until he passed away at age 53.

    in Famous Inspirational Poems

    Out of the night that covers me,
    Black as the pit from pole to pole,
    I thank whatever gods may be
    For my unconquerable soul.

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    Invictus By William Ernest Henley

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    Once I was a good student. I have always been an obedient and gentle person. Then I failed in my life for the first time in the year 2002. Something happened and I fell right from the top and...

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  4. Good Timber

    Famous Poem

    Douglas Malloch (1877-1938), known as the "Lumbermen's Poet," compares good men to good timber in this famous metaphorical poem. The message of this poem is that people, like trees, grow and reach their true potential by overcoming adversity. It is only through struggles, like a tree fighting through forest growth to reach the sun, that we grow and discover our true potential. Malloch lived in Michigan where he grew up amongst logging camps and lumber yards. He wrote his first published poem when he was still a boy; it was published in the Detroit News.

    in Famous Inspirational Poems

    The tree that never had to fight
    For sun and sky and air and light,
    But stood out in the open plain
    And always got its share of rain,

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    Poetry is a passionate way of expressing our innermost thoughts, emotions, spirit, and love, amongst other things. As I read this poem, I thought of a very humble gentleman who lost his...

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  5. See It Through

    Famous Poem

    Many of the poems by Edgar Guest (1881-1959) are encouraging and share important life lessons. In this poem, he shares powerful advice about standing strong in the face of trials and dark days. The poetic technique of repetition is used at the end of each stanza with the line, “See it through.” That brings the reader's attention to the themes of courage and perseverance.

    in Famous Inspirational Poems

    When you’re up against a trouble,
    Meet it squarely, face to face;
    Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
    Plant your feet and take a brace.

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    Featured Shared Story

    I was feeling down, discouraged, confused and all sorts of unpleasant ways today. Going through a failed marriage, raising two young boys by myself, but moreover struggling with my own...

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  7. Mother To Son

    Famous Poem

    Langston Hughes was a prominent writer during the Harlem Renaissance. In this poem, a mother uses the metaphor of life being like a staircase to give advice to her son. While there are difficult times, you must keep moving like you would while walking up a staircase.

    in Famous Family Poems

    Well, son, I'll tell you:
    Life for me ain't been no crystal stair.
    It's had tacks in it,
    And splinters,

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    Featured Shared Story

    I was not a very good student when I was in school. I did the minimal amount of work required, retained little and barely paid attention. In 1965, my 8th grade English teacher read MOTHER TO...

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  8. The Will To Win

    Famous Poem

    When we want something, we must be willing to fight for it. We must put in the necessary work and make sacrifices to achieve our goals. Berton Braley (1882-1966) was an American poet who completed high school in only two years.

    in Famous Inspirational Poems

    If you want a thing bad enough
    To go out and fight for it,
    Work day and night for it,
    Give up your time and your peace and

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    Featured Shared Story

    I like how I became motivated to proceed with caution concerning my worldly desire. I do not want my faith and hope to be misplaced. When my will is invoked by deep feelings of want for...

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  9. You Will Never See Me Fall

    • By Joyce Alcantara
    • Published by Family Friend Poems April 2008 with permission of the Author.

    To my mother, Pauline. She means the world to me. She is my rock that I lean on.

    in Inspirational Poems

    You may see me struggle,
    but you won't see me fall.
    Regardless if I'm weak or not,
    I'm going to stand tall.

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    Poem About Never Giving Up, You Will Never See Me Fall

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    This is the best poem that I have ever read in my entire life. I grew up in a family where I had to see my mother being abused by my dad several times since I was five years old. I am 15...

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  10. Rise

    • By Sagar Yadav
    • Published by Family Friend Poems December 2007 with permission of the Author.

    A poem about refusing to be discouraged and refusing to be put down.

    in Poems about Life Struggles

    I will rise
    After every fall.
    I will rise
    And stand tall.

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    I Will Rise, Rise

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    Featured Shared Story

    I'm from a country which is famous for its literature. And it's Iran. So we, Iranians, know what a good poem is. I really like your poem. It teaches us never give up. It teaches us if birds...

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  11. Inner Strength

    • By John P. Read
    • Published by Family Friend Poems September 2019 with permission of the Author.

    Like a teacher, I believe God sets us many tests in life to prove how strong we really are. We wonder where he is when times are tough, but as we know, a teacher always stays quiet during a test.

    in Courage Poems

    It's only through mistakes we make
    We learn where we went wrong.
    It's only when we're far from home
    We realize where we belong.

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    Featured Shared Story

    Hi HOSwrites, I believe each day is a step nearer, on the road to fulfillment, and that each mistake is a lesson. They'll be many obstacles to overcome, and we may often ask where God is,...

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  12. Your Wounds

    in Short Poems

    Time doesn’t heal wounds
    to make you forget.

    It doesn’t heal wounds to

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    Very nicely done. I totally agree with you. I've used this same approach in my own life. I think sometime we pay more attention to what we're about to go through instead of how much you've...

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  13. I Will Prevail

    • By Phil Harris
    • Published by Family Friend Poems October 2008 with permission of the Author.

    My name is Phil Harris. I am 24 years of age and I reside in Georgia. This poem is one of the best out of a book I am writing called "Inspirations in Life." I have been inspired many ways in life to never allow anyone to cause me to remember that I have a dream that I can achieve. I hope to have the whole book completed within the next month.

    in Inspirational Poems

    I have been told that I will never exceed.
    I have been told that I am living in a dream.
    I have been pushed to the side by many of my peers.
    I have heard of the struggles that were present before me.

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    This poem hits me right smack in the heart. I feel it in the depts of my soul. You see, I lost my son, my only child coming up on 9 years. He was only 20 years old. And he was such an old...

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  14. Mt. Take Heart

    • By Sadwick
    • Published by Family Friend Poems October 2016 with permission of the Author.

    We have all been through tough times: break-ups, fights, deaths, etc. It hurts too bad or it envelopes the mind... but take heart and hope for better days. Your mountain of inflictions will soon pass.

    in Hope Poems

    Often we can't see
    The beauty in the pain.
    Often we can't see
    The treasure we gain.

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    This poem has really taught me how to value the thing we have and the people around us. We never know what we have got until it's all gone, so be wary that you don't lose the moon while...

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  15. The Girl

    • By Meaghan F Sullivan
    • Published by Family Friend Poems March 2021 with permission of the Author.

    Even when you go through so much, you can always pick yourself up. This is my story in the form of poetry, a way for me to let go. With this poem, my hope is that others can relate to it and find a place of peace to forgive your past but not forget since it is what makes you stronger.

    in Bullying Poems

    A letter to that girl
    That girl who sat by herself
    That girl who doubted herself
    That girl who was bullied

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    Featured Shared Story

    This hit home to the T. I couldn't have said it better if I wrote it myself. To whoever wrote this, I feel for what you feel, and it gives me courage to go on. Thank you for sharing it to us...

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  16. My Water My Blood

    • By Mandy V. Villareal
    • Published by Family Friend Poems November 2006 with permission of the Author.

    Regardless of the hardships that live in your past, you stand alone. You can depend on yourself and your friends to pull your life together.

    in Anger Poems

    Is your family still together, just like way back when?
    Do you stick by each other through thick and thin?

    Or do you hardly know the one that you call brother?

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    Such a beautiful poem. I know that I have parents that argue and fight all the time, but they are still together. I understand that it must be very hard for you to live with your parents like...

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  17. You Could Have Given Up

    • By S.C. Lourie
    • Published by Family Friend Poems June 2021 with permission of the Author.

    in Poems about Life Struggles

    You could have given up,
    but you kept on going.
    You could have seen obstacles,
    but you called them adventures.

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    Featured Shared Story

    Another good one! I enjoyed it very much. And I think most of us can relate; I know I can. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Climb Every Mountain

    • By Eric R. Harvey
    • Published by Family Friend Poems February 2019 with permission of the Author.

    This poem is about the obstacles we have to overcome following the passing of a loved one or someone who is seriously ill. It is about getting through those terrible times, learning to stand and cope.

    in Courage Poems

    We all have a massive mountain to climb,
    Especially those who've lost someone dear.
    But climb that big mountain, we surely must,
    If we are going to overcome fear.

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  19. On Adversity

    • By Joydip Dutt
    • Published by Family Friend Poems September 2021 with permission of the Author.

    Adversity is part of our lives. There is no one who has never faced a hardship in life. This poem attempts to show the lessons adversity has to offer.

    in Poems about Life Struggles

    Adversity brings out the best in you
    It often helps to find something new -

    A hidden talent or clears a doubt

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    Featured Shared Story

    Thank you for commenting on my poem. Stay blessed.

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  20. Stalwart

    We all have our share of struggles in life. I have mine and penned this, thinking over them.

    in Inspirational Poems

    Vagaries of this life can be
    Tough and hard to fathom,
    And yet have they conquered me?
    Look how far I've come.

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    Featured Shared Story

    This is definitely an inspirational poem. Everyone has challenges in life, but how we deal with them is crucial to our own well-being. My favorite stanza was the second!

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  21. Wake Up, Beautiful

    • By Danielle L. Stewart
    • Published by Family Friend Poems September 2016 with permission of the Author.

    My name is Danielle, and I wrote this after losing my 6th child. Writing helps me cope.

    in Inspirational Poems

    Wake up, beautiful.
    Wake up from this tragedy.
    Breathe,
    Return to reality.

    More...

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  22. Time To Stop Struggling

    • By Tanya
    • Published by Family Friend Poems July 2008 with permission of the Author.

    A poem about continuing to struggle through the most difficult of times. A poem about letting go and letting God.

    in Courage Poems

    Life is unfair; sometimes the misery we can't bear.
    This was a feeling I could never share.
    I am strong, strong enough to move on from this pain.
    I won't feel the shame; my life is not a game.

    More...
    Time To Stop Struggling

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    Featured Shared Story

    I can also relate to your story when I was 28 years old I suffered from 2 ruptured brain aneurysms. I learned later than it was a miracle of God that I had survived because 99 percent of...

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