The Duggars Speak Out on Life After Scandal and Forgiving Josh: We 'Have Forgiven Him,' But 'The Trust Is Not There'

The Duggar children pose for People: (Front Row) Jana, Jessa, baby Spurgeon, (Middle Row) Joy-Anna, Joseph, Ben, (Back Row) John-David, Josiah, Jinger (Photo: Larsen & Talbert)

More than six months after Josh Duggar entered a faith-based rehab center following a series of scandals, his family is working to move on and repair their relationship with the former reality star.

“I definitely have forgiven Josh. It is a process, though, that you have to work through in your heart,” Josh’s sister Jessa (Duggar) Seewald tells People exclusively in this week’s issue. “And trust is not quickly rebuilt. It is something that takes a while. We love him very much, though, and we are very hopeful for the future.”

Adds sister Joy: “I have forgiven him and I feel that, but the trust is not there.”

For more on the Duggars’ lives these days, pick up this week’s issue of People, on newsstands Friday

In August, Josh, 28, admitted to having a pornography addiction and being unfaithful to his wife Anna, with whom he shares children Marcus, 2, Mackynzie, 6, Michael, 4, and Meredith Grace, 7 months.

“I love Josh and I want the best for him,” says Jessa’s husband Ben Seewald. “There are a lot of people who have been hurt in this situation. I want to look for ways to help heal the situation for Josh and for Anna and their kids especially.”

Josh Duggar (Photo: Getty Images)

The Duggar family is soon returning to TV with the first full season of TLC’s Jill and Jessa: Counting On, which continues the original three-part special that premiered in December. The series picks up as Jill (Duggar) Dillard and husband Derick Dillard continue their missionary work with 11-month-old son Israel in Central America, while Jessa and Ben adjust to life as parents to their baby boy Spurgeon, 4 months.

Counting On premieres March 15 (9 p.m. ET) on TLC.