Chip & Joanna Gaines Talk About Time When They Feared They Wouldn't Make It
September 11, 2019
The Chip and Joanna Gaines story didn't always look as glamorous it does today. There were even days these Christian celebrities didn't think they would make it. But now, after more than 16 years of marriage, the couple has some sound advice on how to avoid divorce.
The home improvement gurus certainly make marriage look easy. But life for Joanna and Chip Gaines before Fixer Upper brought on all the fame and shiplap was a far cry from what you see today.
RELATED: 4 Things We Can Learn About Marriage From Chip And Joanna Gaines
As a part of the closing ceremony at the annual INBOUND conference in Boston, the couple shared parts of the Chip and Joanna Gaines story many don't know.
“The four or five years before we did the show, when the housing crisis hit, things were so hard for us,” Joanna explained.
Looking at the HGTV sweethearts now, it's easy to see two highly successful people who seem made for each other. But Chip and Joanna forged their incredible bond through the fires of adversity. And there were times the strain felt like it would break them.
“For four or five years every Friday, we were saying, ‘Are we gonna make it?’” Joanna went on to explain.
Chip And Joanna Gaines Divorce
Financial problems are one of the most common causes for divorce. And with all the challenges the couple faced in those early days, many would have expected Chip and Joanna Gaines to divorce.
So how did they avoid it?
The couple followed the advice found in Philippians 3:7-14 and pressed on in faith.
“We kept pressing through, even in those hard times,” Joanna said.
Out of those trials came the Chip and Joanna Gaines power couple we all know and love today. And after more than 16 years of marriage, the lessons from those difficult times still holds them together.
RELATED: By The Time ‘Fixer Upper’ Ended, Joanna & Chip Gaines Admit They Were Desperate To Step Out
“The value of what we learned in that [time] is something I’d never want to do again, but I’d never not want that," Joanna explained. "The hard is what makes us appreciate this."
Secret To Chip & Jo's Marriage Success
Fixer Upper was certainly a launchpad for the Magnolia empire. But success can come with its own share of pitfalls.
“This is a very hard thing to do, to work together with someone you also have a relationship and a family with,” Chip Gaines explained.
RELATED: How Billy Graham Helped Chip And Joanna Find The Secret To Success
But Chip and Joanna Gaines manage to navigate all of these demands while still maintaining a healthy, strong marriage. And it all traces back to those early days when they learned how to weather the storms together.
“We’re this odd yin and yang, this whole opposites attract," Chip said. "It really was this powerful chemistry that happened early in our marriage. . . I would argue that at the end of the day, we learned early that we’re a lot stronger and powerful when we’re pulling together, as opposites to pulling against each other. We’re a powerful force when we operate like that.”
That's not to say the two always agree. But Chip and Joanna have a secret weapon.
“Our secret ingredient to our marriage and working relationship is a solid mutual respect,” Chip revealed. “We definitely disagree. It’s not perfect. A lot of hard work goes into this, but if you can get to a mutual place of respect, you can change the world.”
Drawing Inspiration From The Chip & Joanna Gaines Story
A lot has happened for the couple since those hard times. From TV shows and product lines to raising FIVE kids, God has blessed them greatly.
But even with all of their success, the Chip and Joanna Gaines net worth isn't found in money or fame. It's found in the Giver of all these blessings.
Holding on to that truth is what got Joanna through those tough times.
"So even though I didn’t feel it some days, and even though I shed my fair share of tears, I woke up every day and told myself, ‘We can do this. God has not brought us this far to let us down now’," she said.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Chip Gaines Is Finally Opening Up About The Real Reason ‘Fixer Upper’ Had To End
And that gospel truth is just as real for all of us. No matter what we face, God loves us, will see us through and will bring something good out of all the pain.
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
WATCH: Chip & Joanna Gaines Adorably Share Story Of How They Met
h/t: People
Featured Image: Youtube/Jefferson Bethke
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Those Who Are Lonely or Isolated This Christmas - Your Daily Prayer - December 23
This Christmas, remember how precious you are to the Creator. Remember that there is nothing you can do or say that would ever separate His presence and love from you. It’s okay to go through Christmas feeling alone and isolated, but make sure you turn to God to fill those feelings of loneliness.
Today's Devotional
A Prayer for Those Who Are Lonely or Isolated This Christmas - Your Daily Prayer - December 23
This Christmas, remember how precious you are to the Creator. Remember that there is nothing you can do or say that would ever separate His presence and love from you. It’s okay to go through Christmas feeling alone and isolated, but make sure you turn to God to fill those feelings of loneliness.
Past Stories
- Husband Decorates His Neighbors' Homes For Wife Who Loves Christmas
- Couple Befriend Older Neighbor After Hearing Music Coming From His Apartment
- California Man Carpools With Adult Children On His Very Last Day of Work Before Retirement
- Family of Three Grows To Seven Overnight With Birth of Quadruplets
- The World's Oldest Dog Spike the Chihuahua Turns 25 Years Old
- Christmas Tree Planted Back in 1979 Inspires and Unites a Small English Village
- Dick Van Dyke Turns 99 After Evacuating From a Wildfire and Welcoming His Lost Cat Back Home
- Santa and Mrs.Claus Continue to Spread Christmas Magic Even With Santa's MS Diagnosis
- Little Girl Gets a Big Elf On the Shelf Surprise Honoring the Little Brother Who Passed Away
- Little Boy From England With Leukemia Delivers Over 400 Christmas Gifts To Kids At the Hospital
- Gold Star Family Receives a Big Surprise That Will Change Their Lives Forever
- 8-Year-Old With Down Syndrome Is a Hero After Saving Sister From House Fire
- Man Paralyzed At 17 While Snowboarding Has Found True Love and a Wonderful Life
- His Wife Passed Away, Now Their Special Tree is the 2024 Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree
- Granddaughter Captures Last Words Between Grandparents, Married For 69 Years
- New York State Police Rescue Woman Needing a Heart Transplant Stranded in Snowstorm
- Born the Same Year the Titanic Sank, World's Oldest Man Dies at 112
- Family Receives Support From School and Community After Losing House in a Fire
- Soldier Reunites With His Military Dog Yyacob After Years Apart
- Chicago Man Discovers That The Owner Of The Bakery He Loved To Visit Was Actually His Mother
- Husband Pays For 40 Pet Adoptions At Shelter For His Wife's 40th Birthday
- Parents Find Healing After Loss of Son By Donating His Beloved Key Collection To Little Boy
- Mom Dances With Son At His Wedding After Being Placed in Hospice Care 2 Weeks Before
- Grandmother and Young Granddaughter Battling Cancer At the Exact Same Time
- Community Brings Christmas Joy to Virginia Woman With Just Weeks to Live
- Four Friends Recreate A Fun Vacation Photo From 50 Years Ago
- School in Arkansas Mourns the Loss of Their Beloved Emotional Support Dog Abby
- 93-Year-Old Has Made Sure To Attend Every High School Football Game Since 1946
- Texas Mom Doesn't Remember Delivering Triplets After Rare Complication After Birth
- United Airlines Pilot Buys Pizza For 155 Passengers After They Make An Unexpected Stop
- Teenager With Down Syndrome Enjoys Playing Kickball After Parents Organize Neighborhood Game
- Woman in Shock After Finding Winning Lottery Ticket At the Bottom of Her Purse
- Australian Couple Walks Into Their Bedroom To Find the Cutest Koala
- 5 Boys and Their Father Were Saved By Good Samaritan After Explosion
- Daughter of WWII Soldier Finally Learns What Happened To Him, 80 Years Later
- Sisters Scream With Joy Watching Their 4-Year-Old Sister Take Her First Steps
- Her Mom Put a Message in a Bottle As a Child, 26 Years Later Her Classmate Found It
- This Missouri School Was Renamed After Their Much Loved and Dedicated Custodian
- Michael Strahan's Daughter is Now Cancer Free and Has Taught Him All About Perseverance
- These Two Newlyweds Found Love in Their Late 90s, After Meeting At Their Retirement Home
- Sisters Who Were Adopted By Separate Families Nearly 40 Years Ago Reunite After DNA Tests
- Oldest Living Person in the US Passes Away at 115, After a Long and Faithful Life
- At Just 20 and 22 Years Old, These Two Sisters From Minnesota Saved Their Family Farm
- After Over 450 Days in a Shelter, Boone and Rellie Find Their Forever Home, Together
- Sweet Kitten Named Coraline Loses Both Her Eyes, but Inspires Many with Her Spirit
- Donny Osmond Sees the 'End of the Tunnel' Coming After Performing for Over 6 Decades
- An Iguana Hitches a Ride on a Garbage Truck in Tennessee, Now Trying to Find Its Owner
- 6-Year-Old Starts 'Poop Scooping' Business to Help Animals and Adopt One of His Own
- Bride's Dad Drops During Father-Daughter Dance, but Things Lined up Perfectly to Save His Life
- Young North Carolina Father Risked His Life To Save a Couple and Dog From a Sinking Truck
Top Music Videos
The Statler Brothers 'Til the Storm Passes By' The Statler Brothers Live Performance
Jeremy Camp Jeremy Camp 'Ready Now' Powerful Official Music Video
Riley Clemmons Riley Clemmons - All Is Well
Mark Schultz 'Different Kind of Christmas' - Live From Mark Schultz
CCM Magazine Brynn Elliot's Chilling 'Silent Night' Rendition
Blogs
At GodTube, you’ll find daily inspirational videos to lift your spirits and encourage you in your walk with God. Popular videos include worship music from your favorite Christian artists, cute videos with adorable kids and animals, hilarious videos from Christian comedians, user-uploaded videos, and clean viral videos to brighten your day.