A godly woman is prepared.
Webster's Dictionary - Prepared: made at an earlier time for later use; made ready in advance; ready for something; in a suitable condition for some purpose for activity.
1. Genesis 6:1-7:5 - Noah prepared for the flood
2. Genesis 41:25-57 - Joseph prepared Egypt for the famine
3. Exodus 16:14-30 - the Israelites trusted God for their daily provision of manna, but also prepared on the sixth day to be ready for the Sabbath
4. 2 Chronicles 27:6 - Jotham prepared his ways before the Lord
5. Ezra 7:10 - Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Lord
6. Nehemiah 4 - the Israelites did not have to be afraid of enemies, because they were prepared for them
7. Proverbs 21:31 - the Lord is our true safety
8. Proverbs 24:27 - prepare for your work
9. Proverbs 30:25 - ants are wise for getting food in the summer
10. Matthew 25:1-13 - watch, and be prepared for Christ's coming
11. Luke 12:22-31 - do not worry just about earthly things, but prepare for heavenly things
12. Luke 12:35-47 - be prepared for the Lord's coming
13. 2 Timothy 2:19-22 - depart from iniquity to be ready for God's purposes
This idea of being prepared requires a big, well-rounded view to get the whole picture. There is indeed an aspect of preparing for earthly things. From the verse in Proverbs 31, we see that this woman doesn't need to worry about the winter, because she has prepared clothes for her family ahead of time. Noah obeyed God and prepared for the flood by building the ark and getting his family and the animals aboard. God used Joseph to saves thousands of people because he prepared ahead of time for the famine to come. When the Israelites were rebuilding the wall around Jerusalem and there were threats from their enemies, Nehemiah had them prepare by carrying weapons and taking shifts at building and defending. The ants are set up as a wise example to us because they gather food in the summer to prepare for the winter.
And yet, there is more to being prepared than just our food and clothes and earthly worries, and we should be unafraid of the future not solely because of what WE have done to prepare. An army can prepare their horses for battle, but ultimately their safety comes from the Lord. I find that the story of the manna in Exodus is an excellent example of a very delicate balance between relying on God to work things out and also making preparations for the future. For 5 days, the Israelites were supposed to gather just enough manna for that day, in order that they might learn to rely on God for their basic, daily needs. However, God had also commanded them to observe the Sabbath; they were supposed to gather two days worth of manna on the 6th day so that they were prepared to rest on the 7th. Both sides required faith from the Israelites, though - faith that God would provide food tomorrow, and also faith that the double portion would not spoil. No matter how much we do to prepare, it truly is God that is in control and cares for us.
Not only that, but we should be concerned with preparing ourselves, too. Jotham, a sixteen-year-old kind of Israel, became mighty because he prepared his ways before the Lord. Ezra, a great priest, prepared his heart to seek the Lord and His law, and was used mightily among the Israelites. We need to prepare our hearts and minds for heavenly things, and be ready for Christ's call. What a shame it would be if Christ called us to some work, and because our heart was unprepared, we missed the opportunity and blessing. As it says in 2 Timothy 2, let us depart from iniquity and cleanse ourselves from dishonorable things so that we can be ready for the Master's use and prepared for every good work.
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