Making dua with conviction of acceptance

Q: We are taught to make dua with full sincerity, humility, and desire — asking Allah like a child asks a parent. At the same time, we are told to have complete tawakkul and accept that what we ask for may not be good for us, so Allah may not grant it. This sometimes feels confusing. How should a believer balance making strong, heartfelt dua for something they desire, while also trusting Allah’s decision without feeling disappointed or conflicted? 

Making an effort to strive for deen

Q: There is a hadith where the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Whoever dies without fighting in the way of Allah or intended to fight then he has died on a branch of hypocrisy" and in the Quran, in Surah Tawbah, Allah said that if they had intended then they would have prepared equipment for fighting. 

So my question is, should every Muslim prepare gears or equipment to do jihad? If yes, then there is another hadith where the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, "Do not wish to face an enemy. Seek protection and peace from Allah and be patient when you face them." 

Can you please explain these three like are they contradicting? I am confused like the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said that do not wish to face and Allah says if you intended then prepare equipment. Can you please clarify.

Dressing of a woman when coming before other women

Q: To what extent do women have to lower their gaze with and towards other women if they do (when there’s no fitnah)? I know that you can’t see from below the navel to the knee and including the knees, back and stomach. 

Now in a normal setting among other women, everyone is fully covered but not always in “modest” clothing since it’s females. So in some areas clothes are tight like when wearing a t-shirt for example or trousers. When they wear clothes like this for example, the shape of their body is shown. Are we sinful if we look at their body? Or if we see the shape of things that are apparent or showing (when there is no fitnah)?

Are we supposed to be lowering our gaze as females to other females too? Because when they move etc. even then things naturally show, so what do we do? Are we sinful if we’ve looked or if we’ve seen anything?