'Some days are very difficult': Josh and Anna Duggar reveal struggle to rebuild their marriage after porn and cheating scandal

It's almost a year since the Duggar family publicly acknowledged that eldest son Josh had molested underage girls including several of his sisters.

And just weeks after he returned home after an extended stay in a Christian rehab facility following his admission last August that he serially cheated on his wife Anna, the couple have given an update on the status of their relationship.

'Since the residential treatment program ended, we have been working with a professional marriage and family counselor to take important steps toward healing. It isn’t easy and some days are very difficult,' Josh and Anna said in a joint statement posted on the reality family's website.

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'Long road': Josh and Anna Duggar have revealed they are in therapy together as they work to mend their marriage but that it's not an easy process and it's difficult 'to rebuild trust and a truly healthy relationship'

'Long road': Josh and Anna Duggar have revealed they are in therapy together as they work to mend their marriage but that it's not an easy process and it's difficult 'to rebuild trust and a truly healthy relationship'

The couple went on: 'It is a long road to rebuild trust and a truly healthy relationship.'

'We are very thankful for God’s forgiveness, grace and help, as it is our strength and guide to rebuilding our lives. As the future unfolds, we are taking one day at a time and we are grateful for your continued prayers for both of us and our sweet children.'

It's the first public comment by the couple who found fame on the family's TLC series 19 Kids And Counting, which was cancelled last July in the wake of the molestation scandal.

They wed in 2008 and have four young children together.

Broken vows: The couple's 2008 wedding was shown on the Duggar family's now cancelled reality show 19 Kids And Counting. Last summer Josh confessed he'd serially cheated on his wife and was addicted to porn

Broken vows: The couple's 2008 wedding was shown on the Duggar family's now cancelled reality show 19 Kids And Counting. Last summer Josh confessed he'd serially cheated on his wife and was addicted to porn

While her husband was in treatment, Anna had appeared in TLC's spin-off series Jill And Jessa: Counting On that premiered in February.

She was shown explaining she intended to 'honor her vow to God' and stand by her unfaithful spouse, even though she felt 'betrayed.' 

'Everyone was able to see us get married and to vow before God to be loyal to each other, and that loyalty was broken. And so, for my heart, it was just broken' she said on the show.

Josh's sisters described rallying around Anna and wanting to be there for her in her time of need and said that she was an example of the power of unconditional love.

Blindsided: After Josh entered faith-based rehab in Illinois, Anna and her four young children including newborn Meredith moved into the family compound in Arkansas. She said she felt 'betrayed' by what Josh did 

Blindsided: After Josh entered faith-based rehab in Illinois, Anna and her four young children including newborn Meredith moved into the family compound in Arkansas. She said she felt 'betrayed' by what Josh did 

Anna has credited her faith in helping her to get through the tough times.

'I knew that my only hope was to cling to my faith, because I knew if I went off of what I was feeling, I would turn a mess into a disaster,' she revealed.

Since he left rehab in March, Josh has been seen working at the family business, that includes remodeling homes and selling used cars.

On Mother's Day, he joined Anna and his kids for a special meal at a Mexican restaurant with his parents Jim Bob and Michelle and the rest of the extended family.

Back home: On Mother's Day, Josh was seen attending church with his family before heading to a special celebration lunch

Back home: On Mother's Day, Josh was seen attending church with his family before heading to a special celebration lunch

 

 

 

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