The Scrappy Season: Finding Strength When the Wins Don’t Come Easy

It’s been a scrappy season.I may have coined that phrase myself—I’m not sure if it’s original—but let me explain what I mean.

By this time last year, I had closed seven transactions. Each one was unique, but they all had one thing in common: they came easy and ran smoothly. As 2024 came to a close, I felt confident that my dream to move from part-time to full-time real estate was taking off. The income was solid, the deals were flowing, and if I was looking for a nod from God, it looked like I had received it.

Then came 2025. The momentum I’d built came to a halt. Deals I expected to close fell through. Listings came with difficulties that required both time and grit. Month after month, I poured myself into the work—posting on social media, sending newsletters, making calls—and saw very little fruit.

That’s when I told my broker: “2025 feels like a scrappy season—one where I’ve had to scrap and fight for every single victory.”

When Life Feels Like a Battle

Maybe you’ve had a scrappy season too.It’s that space in life where:

• Every day feels like a fight.

• Wins are hard to come by.

• You’re buried in discouragement.

• You’re tempted to quit and take the easier path.

I’ve taken that easier path before, and I often wonder how many blessings I forfeited because I ran from hard seasons rather than grew through them. But now, in this season of growing faith, I want to respond differently.

I don’t want to avoid the scrappy—I want to embrace it, trusting the One who has allowed it.

Reframing the Scrappy Season

Over the past few months, I’ve used three reflection questions that help me shift perspective. These questions have kept me anchored in truth, even when emotions wanted to lead the way.

But before I reflect, I remind myself of one foundational truth: Nothing touches my life unless God allows it.

We see this in the book of Job—Satan asks permission to test Job, and God allows it. That’s a hard truth, because Job suffered greatly. But when you read the entire story, you see that God allowed the trials for His glory and Job’s good.

So if God has allowed this scrappy season, I trust that He’s doing something with it.

1. Where is the value?The world defines value by success, money, and status. But in God’s kingdom, value looks different:

• Refinement of character

• Deepened faith

• Strengthened resilience

• New knowledge or skills

“When I reflect on the value God is bringing to my life, the scrappiness becomes worth fighting for.”

2. What can I celebrate?Gratitude is the pathway to peace. Scripture reminds us of this over and over—Philippians 4:6-7 urges us to bring requests to God with thanksgiving.In a scrappy season, our hearts can lean toward lack and discouragement. But there’s always something to celebrate:

• A warm meal

• Sunshine on your face

• A kind word

• A small win

“The more we list our blessings, the more peace and joy we begin to feel.”

3. How can I sustain my joy?Nehemiah 8 reminds us that “the joy of the Lord is our strength.” Without joy, our strength fades.

Joy doesn’t need to be grand—it can be simple:

• A walk in the neighborhood

• Coffee with your daughter

• Motown tunes in the car

• Quiet porch time with a good book

“My joy is essential in all times, but especially in a scrappy season.”

You’re Not Alone

1 Corinthians 10 reminds us that what we face is common to man.If you’re in a scrappy season, know this: You are not alone. Others have walked this path—and come out stronger.

How we walk through the scrappy season shapes how we come out of it. So let’s:

• See the scrappy season as valuable.

• Celebrate small wins every day.

• Guard and fuel our joy.

God is good. God is sovereign. Even in the scrappy season, He makes scrappin’ worth it.

Let’s Reflect Together

💬 What has your scrappy season taught you about yourself or God?

💬 How do you personally find and sustain joy when things feel heavy?

Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear how you're scrappin’ through.