Josh and Anna Duggar have released a statement about the current state of their marriage, thanking fans for their “prayers” and “encouragement” just weeks after Josh returned home from an extended stay in a Christian rehab facility.
The couple have admitted that the last 12 months has been hard on their marriage, after the family publicly acknowledged that eldest son Josh had molested underage girls including several of his sisters.
The couple also hit another roadblock last August after Josh’s Ashley Madison account was unncovered, revealing the devout Christian has serially cheated on his long-suffering wife.
"As we enter into a long family weekend together, we want to thank each of you for the prayers, love and encouragement you’ve sent our way.
"Since the residential treatment program ended, we have been working with a professional marriage and family counselor to take important steps toward healing," the couple wrote in their statement.
"It isn’t easy and some days are very difficult. 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 is not the first time the couple have broken their silence on Josh's, should we say, misdemeanours, with Anna breaking her silence last December on her husband's "betrayal".
At the time, Anna told Jill & Jessa: Counting On that "it is such a betrayal for a spouse to go through what we’re walking through,” through tears.