Why I Wasn't Successful at Trading Stocks for the Last 6 Years: A Journey of Perseverance, Faith, and Rediscovery

Trading stocks was something I thought I could master quickly. I had big dreams and was determined to succeed. But my journey wasn’t as smooth as I had hoped, and for the last six years, I found myself struggling, facing one roadblock after another. I experienced failures, setbacks, and even moments where I almost gave up. The emotional toll it took was heavy, and the financial strain was overwhelming.

There were times I tried to leverage loans just to keep my day trading journey alive. I thought I needed more capital to make the moves I wanted, but this only made things worse. I faced the infamous Pattern Day Trader (PDT) rule, and I constantly had to juggle the stress of staying above that limit. I invested in countless trading coaches, trying to find the magic formula to unlock my success. I learned multiple strategies, thinking that each new method would be the key to making it big.

But, instead of gaining clarity, I found myself in a mental fog. The more strategies I learned, the more overwhelmed I became. I experienced what I can only describe as “trading paralysis.” I would sit at my desk, unsure of which strategy to apply, questioning if I had the right approach. And when I did enter a trade, it often didn’t work out the way I expected. Instead of cutting my losses, I would chase the market out of fear of missing out (FOMO) — trying to make my losses back, only to dig myself into a deeper hole.

It wasn’t until 2024 that I realized I had tapped out — financially, mentally, and emotionally. By this time, my husband had also come to the conclusion that trading wasn’t something he was passionate about. Unlike me, he didn’t have the same drive or excitement for it, and he knew it wasn’t meant for him. I admire him for recognizing that and stepping away, rather than holding onto something that didn’t resonate with him. At least he wasn’t trying to force something that wasn’t meant to be.

So here I am in 2024, after stopping trading and taking time to reset. I felt the need to pray, asking God for clarity. Was trading still something He wanted me to do? Was it part of His plan for my life? God answered me in a way that was unexpected but undeniably clear. He spoke to me through dreams and visions of the stock market as the NY session opened, showing me patterns and movements before they occurred. But here’s the thing — God didn’t tell me exactly where to enter and exit. He didn’t spoon-feed me the answers. Instead, He reminded me of what the Bible teaches in 2 Timothy 2:15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

This verse took on a new meaning for me in the context of my trading. Just as we are called to study and understand God’s Word, we must do the same in every area of our lives — including our careers and business ventures. God doesn’t call us to be passive or lazy. He calls us to be diligent, to learn, and to approach our work with wisdom and integrity. I realized that I had been letting the financial strain from my personal life dictate how I approached the market. I wasn’t fully leaning into God’s wisdom, and I wasn’t using His Word to combat my emotions, especially in trading psychology.

So, I made a decision: I would stop allowing circumstances to determine my success. I would seek God with everything I had and trust that He would guide me through this journey. In 2024, I began to focus on developing a plan that was rooted in His wisdom. I started to pay attention to the way I learn, revisiting my college years and the methods I used to retain information. I realized that drawing diagrams, making flowcharts, and visualizing the process helped me retain knowledge and make sense of complex subjects.

I applied this method to my trading journey. Instead of relying on traditional note-taking, I created diagrams and charts to illustrate trading strategies, setups, and psychology. But it didn’t stop there. I also turned to God’s Word, asking Him for wisdom to overcome the mental battles I was facing. I needed His guidance to build not just my trading plan, but my mindset.

The process of transforming my trading psychology wasn’t easy. I had to learn to love myself through God's Word, overcoming feelings of low self-esteem and doubt. I had to build confidence and extend grace to myself, especially when I made mistakes. In my journey, I asked God for peace and patience, knowing that He was molding me, not just as a trader, but as a person. I had to lean on Him for the strength to persevere, even when the path wasn’t clear.

Through this journey, I learned a powerful lesson that I want to share with you: If you feel called to something, whether it’s trading or any other endeavor, do not give up. Keep studying. Stay diligent. Seek God’s wisdom in everything you do. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."

I am living proof that no matter how many setbacks you face, no matter how many mistakes you make, God’s wisdom can guide you back to your calling. If God has placed a dream, a calling, or an idea on your heart, you must trust that He will provide the tools, the knowledge, and the wisdom you need to succeed. Stay focused, remain diligent, and never stop learning.

Trading isn’t just about making money — it’s about learning the discipline of patience, perseverance, and trusting God’s timing. If you know that this is where God wants you to be, keep pressing forward. Study His Word. Seek wisdom. And remember: You are never alone on this journey. God is with you every step of the way.

I hope this blog resonates with you and provides a sense of encouragement, as well as a reminder to keep pushing forward. Trust the process, and trust God.