DUCK DYNASTY’s Jep and Jessica Robertson chose to fight for their marriage in hard times through faith and love.
“There are going to be times you want out, ya know?” Jep told Woman’s World.
The first eight years of marriage were especially difficult, Jep recalled. He often wanted to just give up, but he’s glad he didn’t. The couple’s 25th wedding anniversary will be in October.
“But our God forgives us daily for any falling short,” Jessica explained. “It just got to the point where why wouldn’t I forgive him? Why wouldn’t I forgive somebody that I really do love? I really do.”
For her, it was about realizing she wanted to fight for her love and marriage instead of feeling offended and thinking her spouse was working against her.
Related: DUCK DYNASTY’s Jep Robertson Shares His Prodigal Son Story
They had a deep commitment to one another, but they struggled with heated arguments. They held onto bitterness and would bring up the past, which prolonged their disagreements. Things came to a head when Jessica caught Jep looking at pornography, an addiction he had kept a secret. At this point, they had been married for six years and had four small children.
Over the next year or so, they made God the center of their marriage, and old wounds healed.
“I say the only reason why we’re still married is that we love the Lord more than we love, you know, each other,” Jess said. “And I think when you’re always pointing to him, all the things, all the hurts, all the disappointments, any little, you know comparing you to him, my father and you to my mom, all those things, it makes it OK because you’re not looking for that anymore.”
In a blog Jess originally shared in 2016, she said the most important things that strengthen a marriage are loyalty, forgiveness, respect and a cherished love for your spouse.
“We sometimes forget to nurture the relationships with our spouse the way we do with our children,” she wrote. “We get so busy being a mom or dad that we lose sight of this very important need.”
Quality time together is important to show each other you care, and to listen to your spouse’s needs.
Jep said, “When people ask me about marriage advice — it’ll be 25 years in October — and I’m like, ‘Man, I would just say, don’t give up.’ I mean, that’s the main thing is don’t give up.”
Their new series, JEP & JESS: BEYOND THE BAYOU, just premiered its first episode on Aug. 13. A new episode will come out Thursday on Great American Pure Flix.
Read Next: Jep and Jessica Robertson Go BEYOND THE BAYOU for Upcoming GAF Series
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