FamilyLife Today® Lies We Told Ourselves: Loss, Pride, Addiction in Marriage--and the God Who Saves: Ron & Nan Deal
Mar 9, 2026
Ron Deal, blended-family ministry leader who navigated ministry pressure and pride. Nan Deal, marriage ministry partner who battled grief and a long addiction. They tell a raw, unvarnished marriage story. Conversations cover hidden hurts, pride in ministry, deep grief after losing a son, a 12-year descent into addiction, and the crisis that forced honest confrontation and change.
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Hidden Hurts Shape Marriages
- Every marriage carries quiet, hidden hurts that shape daily life and go unspoken.
- Ron and Nan describe decades of disappointment and unvoiced wounds that silently affected their relationship until they surfaced.
Forced Confrontation That Began Change
- Nan confronted Ron after feeling unseen and packed a bag saying, It's you or me, prompting him to seek counseling immediately.
- Ron called a friend therapist, Terry, who began work with them and in the first session confronted Ron's pride bluntly.
Invite A Hard Truth Teller Into Your Marriage
- Bring in trustworthy outside help when patterns persist and pride blocks change.
- Ron and Nan turned to therapist Terry, whose direct reflection exposed root wounds and began meaningful transformation.
