Encourage: to help someone to feel confident and able to do something (Cambridge Dictionary). 

I read about an occasion when Jesus spoke to a crowd of people. The text said he spoke words that encouraged and put heart into them. His words were not trite sayings or worn-out platitudes that tasted saccharine to the hearers. They were also not condemning, reminding people they were falling short and could do better. Words like that make hearers want to give up completely.  

Jesus dealt in reality; speaking a foundation of truth people could stand on. He spoke with justice, fairness, love, hope, and wisdom according to the hearers’ needs. 

A mentor did this for me when I was young and pursuing a college major I was unhappy with. She had spent time cultivating a healthy relationship with me. Because of this, I felt I could allow her to speak into my life at that point. I was willing to listen because she had proven her genuine heart. 

“Chrissy, what you are studying now, you seem to have no desire to do. But when you talk about international work and serving others, you are passionate.” 

“You’re right, but I’m afraid to pursue it.”

“If you choose another major, no matter what happens, the important things in your life—God and the people who love you— will not change. Some other things will, but the important things will not.” 

This conversation changed my thinking just enough to set me on a better path. My mentor wasn’t trying to control or punish me for not living up to expectations. Our relationship status was not in question based on what I decided from there. She was trying to help me successfully navigate life. I had been trying to fill others' expectations, desperately running away from fear of failure—and getting nowhere. 

However, after this conversation, I began to think I could run toward something instead; toward a life and work that fit me. Success was not trying to live up to others’ expectations— that is a bottomless pit. Success was following Christ as myself and continuing in life no matter what happened. I could do this because the important things in life would not change. I had a solid foundation to stand on.