1 True Talks
1 True Talks
The Long Game: Thriving When Marriage Gets Tough
The most beautiful love stories aren't the ones without conflict, but those where couples choose to stay and grow through the hard seasons. In this powerful season finale of our marriage season, we're tackling what it truly means to play the long game in marriage. Marriage isn't just merging schedules and living spaces, it's merging wounds, dreams, habits, and faith journeys. Two imperfect people trying to love like Jesus did. When that journey gets rocky, it doesn't mean you've failed; it means you're in the process of becoming something beautiful together.
Renee shares intimate advice about recommitting to your spouse beyond just anniversary celebrations. Those small moments—a whispered prayer in the kitchen asking God for strength to choose love today, or holding your partner's hand and saying "I still choose you despite knowing more of your flaws now"—these are the threads that strengthen the fabric of lasting love. Remember, God specializes in resurrection. What feels numb can be made new; what feels stale can become sacred again.
Your marriage has purpose beyond your happiness. It's a kingdom partnership, a testimony to God's faithfulness, and a legacy that influences everyone around you. When you shift from a sprint mentality to a marathon mindset, you stop asking "how do I win this fight?" and start asking "how do we fight for each other and what we're building together?" That's when breakthrough happens.
Whether you're newly married, celebrating your tenth anniversary, or navigating a tough season right now, this episode offers faith-filled perspective to help you stay the course. Subscribe for our upcoming dating series, and share this episode with someone who needs encouragement in their marriage journey. God isn't finished with your love story yet.
Hi, I'm Renee Richel, the founder and president of 1 True Match. I'm here to help you find and cultivate the love of your life. For over a decade, I've dedicated my life to the importance, purpose and dynamic of human relationships. My team and I are disciplined by faith, love and integrity to help our clients find the quality relationship they've always dreamt of. Each week, I will be sharing the tools and tips I've learned that have rooted my success as a matchmaker with other leaders around the world. Hello, loves, welcome back. I hope you have had a powerful and incredible week.
Renee Richel:I'm excited to get into this next topic that we're going to talk about the long game, choosing commitment when marriage feels hard. Today's episode is extra special because it is the season finale of the marriage series. Can we just take a moment to celebrate what God has done through this journey? Whether you're newly married, walking through year 10, or navigating a tough season, this series has been all about pouring faith, truth and fresh perspectives into your relationship, and what better way to close out this chapter than with today's theme? In this episode, we're talking about what it looks like to renew your vows and reignite your connection, how to serve God side by side as a couple and how to adopt a marathon mindset in a world that's all about quick fixes. If you've been looking for encouragement to stay the course, to deepen your commitment and to run this race together with joy commitment and to run this race together with joy this one is for you. So grab your coffee or tea and let's dive in.
Renee Richel:Marriage is one of the greatest gifts God gives us. However, it is not without its challenges. It stretches us, it refines us and it also humbles us. You're not just merging schedules and living spaces. You're merging wounds, dreams and habits, expectations and faith, journeys Two imperfect people trying to come together and love, like Jesus did. So if you're in the season that feels dry or difficult, I want you to hear me clearly. Difficult does not mean broken. It means you're in the process. In Ecclesiastes 4: 9- 10, it reminds us two are better than one. If either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. So when marriage feels hard, it is not a sign to run. It is an invitation to lean in, lean into God, lean into grace, lean into each other. You are not alone is the best news. God is with you in the messy middle and he's not finished writing your story.
Renee Richel:Let's talk about recommitting. Renewing your vows isn't just for milestone anniversaries. It's something we should do in our hearts regularly, especially when things feel tough. Sometimes it's a whispered prayer you say to yourself in the kitchen God, help me choose love today. Sometimes it's holding hands with your spouse and saying I still choose you. I've seen more of your flaws now, but I've also seen your growth and I choose this covenant again. If you feel distant, if you feel like that spark is fading, don't be discouraged. God is in the business of resurrection. What feels numb can be made new, what feels stale can be made sacred. This week, I challenge you to carve out intentional time with your spouse. Remember couch talk, share your heart, talk about the early days, pray together and, if you feel led, renew your vows in your own way. Just the two of you with the Lord. Here's something I love to remind my couples Marriage and ministry go hand in hand.
Renee Richel:Your marriage is not just about you. It's about how God wants to use your union to bless others. And you and your spouse are not just partners in bills and bedtime routines. You are also co-workers in the kingdom of the Lord. Develop a kingdom marriage mindset today.
Renee Richel:Ask yourself where is God calling us to serve? What burdens our hearts together? How can we encourage others through our stories? How can we encourage others through our stories? Maybe it's leading a small group, helping couples in chaos, serving your youth, or just being faithful in prayer and generosity. Whatever it looks like, when you serve together, something powerful happens. Your unity deepens, your purpose becomes shared. Your marriage can be a testimony of God's love for the world, leaving a legacy of love and faith. This part always touches my heart, because legacy is everything. Even if you don't have children, your marriage still tells a powerful story, a story that influences friends, family, community and future generations in ways you may not even realize. People will remember your faithfulness through challenges, your grace and forgiveness and your steadfast love when life gets tough. Steadfast love when life gets tough.
Renee Richel:In Psalms 78:4, it says we will not hide them from their children. We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord. While this speaks to children, the principle extends beyond bloodlines. It's about passing on a legacy of faith and love to those around you. Your marriage is shaping lives. Every choice to love sacrificially, every moment spent in prayer together, every act of surrender, it all is leaving a mark. Love always leaves a mark, and remember that. So don't just think about today. Consider how your love story inspires others and points them back to Christ.
Renee Richel:The marathon mindset Marriage isn't a spirit, it's a marathon. And marathon runners don't just quit when their legs get tired. They focus on the finish line. A marathon mindset says this is bigger than today's argument. I'm committed even when I don't feel connected. I'm in it for the long haul, not just the honeymoon. I'm going to love all of my spouse, despite their worst days. When you shift your mindset, you stop asking how do I win this fight and you start asking how do we fight for each other and what we're building together? And that's when the breakthrough happens. That's when love flourishes and grows deeper than what you could ever imagine.
Renee Richel:In Galatians 6: 9,. It encourages us. Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. That is huge. Don't give up, even if it feels slow or hard, even if you're in mile 15 and everything is aching, you're not running alone. God is pacing you, he is with you and he's already marked the finish line. So remember he's got this Lean into him.
Renee Richel:So, in conclusion, as we wrap up this season, I want to sincerely thank you for walking this journey with me. You've made room for truth, growth and grace, and I truly believe God is honoring your pursuit of him in your marriage. Let me pray over you, father. Thank you for every couple listening right now, for every weary heart, every love feeling distant and every marriage hanging by a thread. Please breathe new life into them, renew their strength, restore their intimacy and reignite their purpose. May their marriage stand as testimonies of your goodness and faithfulness. Help them run the race, not striving for perfection, but for your glory, in Jesus' name, amen.
Renee Richel:That's a wrap for our marriage season. This isn't goodbye. It's a fresh beginning. Keep running your race, keep loving on purpose and keep trusting that God is intricately working in every part of your love story. In every part of your love story. If this season has blessed you, please share it with somebody who is in need of hearing all of this, and don't forget to subscribe, because the next season is just around the corner, with even more encouragement and insight for those walking the journey of dating. Until next time, stay healthy, stay encouraged and, above all, stay in love. Have a blessed week and I cannot wait for our next chat. It's been another great talk on this episode of One True Talks by Renee Richel. I look forward to our next chat. Please write in your questions and comments so I can be sure to talk about whatever it is you want to discuss in our next upcoming episode. Lots of Love, God Bless. XOXO.