The word “strong” is the Hebrew word “chazaq” (pronounced kha-zak) and means to “strengthen, prevail, harden, be firm, grow firm, and be resolute; to press, be urgent, to sustain or encourage oneself, to make bold, to keep hold of, and to withstand.”
The words “very courageous” are the Hebrew words “m’od ‘amats” and mean “to be exceedingly and abundantly strong, alert, brave, bold, solid, secure, determined, persistent, and to confirm oneself.”
Beloved, Abba Father is encouraging you to continue to be strong and very courageous! He has not left you or forsaken you. The intensity of this time of testing, training, refining, and strengthening is preparation for what lies ahead of you which is exceedingly great! Be greatly encouraged, dear one, and continue to press in with passion, fervency, and complete surrender to His will and plan for your life. The reward of a surrendered and obedient life to Him far exceeds what pain, sorrow, discouragement, or loss you may be experiencing. Though the following verse is prophetically speaking of Jesus, we are to be like Him in all we do.
Isaiah 50:5-7 (NKJV) [emphasis added] “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning. He awakens My ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God has opened My ear; And I was not rebellious, nor did I turn away. I gave My back to those who struck Me, and My cheeks to those who plucked out the beard; I did not hide My face from shame and spitting. For the Lord God will help Me; Therefore I will not be disgraced; Therefore I have set My face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.”