How can preparing our heart and home for the future be possible when we don’t know what the future holds? In my last blog, I shared about the strength and dignity of the Proverbs 31 woman.

Now we will look at how we can be prepared for the future.

“She smiles at the future, knowing that she and her family are prepared.” (Proverbs 31:25b, AMP)

 First, it’s important to know our God, His character, faithfulness, trustworthiness, and goodness. And we learn to know Him by walking closely with Him, especially during difficult times, but also in good times, by studying His word. His word is a treasure chest of jewels, nuggets of wisdom, and insight into who God is. The storing up of God’s word in our hearts in the pleasant times is how we prepare for the seasons that bring us to our knees.

I think of Joseph from the book of Genesis. What a roller coaster of a life he had! Favored by his father, hated by his brothers, thrown into a pit, made Potiphar’s assistant, thrown into prison, then made 2^nd in command to Pharaoh. And through it all, Joseph trusted God. Now I’m sure he had his doubts. God had given him dreams that his brothers and family would bow down to him. He was probably wondering if and when those dreams would ever come to pass.

But he knew his God. And Scripture says God was with Joseph. Joseph was known for storing up food and he was prepared for the future because God had given him insight that a famine was coming. So with great wisdom, Joseph stored up portions of grain during the times of plenty.

Genesis 41: 49 says, “Joseph stored up huge quantities of grain, like the sand of the sea; it was so much that he stopped keeping records because it was beyond measure.”

And that’s how we should be, too. I’m not just talking about becoming a super-prepper, although I don’t think it’s a bad idea!  (I’m more of a mini-prepper) I think the story of Joseph models having reserves for hard times.

But I’m also referring to storing up the treasures of God’s word in our hearts, remembering the things He has done for us in the past, so that when famine hits, we are prepared with a storehouse of God’s faithfulness.

We can smile and even laugh at the future because our hearts are aligned with God. We’ve done our due diligence to know and learn His ways. We can trust that He is with us and will carry us through.

 Psalm 73: 26 says, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. And as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”

Our Proverbs 31 gal is very resourceful using her hands to make fine linens, getting up early to provide food for her family, and when it snows, her family has no fear because they are clothed in scarlet. This woman was PREPARED.

Are we functioning in a well-prepared home life? Are we properly prioritizing the things of God? Are we saving for the future and stewarding our resources well? It’s in our preparation within our home and our heart that we can smile at the future, and have no fear of what is to come.

And friend, if that is the attitude of our heart, then people around us will see the quiet confidence within us that speaks of peace and joy, not fear and anxiety.

“He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7

 What does Joseph say at the end of his story when talking to his brothers? “What you meant for evil, God intended for good to accomplish what is being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20.

 I’m sure Joseph had some dark moments in his journey through the pit and the prison. But ultimately, his preparation, which included storing up reserves of food, saved many lives. And we see how his attitude shines toward his brothers. Total forgiveness and trust in his faithful God. He never departed from his faith.

Maybe today you’re in a difficult place. Maybe you’ve made some mistakes and you’re down in the pit.

Our God is a pro at pulling people out of the pit.

It’s not too late to make changes to turn things around and prepare for your future, whether in your home or your heart. We can lean into him and find the strength to walk with dignity through the turmoil, with prepared hearts, because we know He will carry us through.

Like our Proverbs 31 woman, we can smile, and even laugh at the future because He tells us in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”