Faith Through Fire: Overcoming Addiction and Saving a Marriage
A conversation between Brad & Amber Woessner, guests; and Devaughn Williamson, host.
When you think of a couple that has their ups and downs and lives to tell the story, you automatically think of Amber and Brad. Their story is nowhere near perfect but it is one that is real, powerful and relatable which makes it that much more impactful. This is a testimony about fighting for your marriage, staying committed through the toughest seasons, and finding healing and restoration in God.
Their story begins with pain. Brad battled with alcohol addiction since his early teens. He classifies alcohol as the thief that “devours what you love most”. When Brad and Amber met, they both had their wounds from previous relationships, and personal baggage. That didn’t just disappear when they said I do. As a result, their marriage was something they both had to actively work on, truly the depiction of what fighting for your marriage through every trial looks like.
Overcoming Addiction and Marital Struggles
The best part is, they didn;t do it alone.
Their faith in God is how they would stay grounded, and aligned with what the Word of God said. Faith in God was their compass. He is their firm foundation. When storms arose, AND THEY DID, they didn’t retreat but leaned in, putting the work in to save a marriage through obedience, prayer, and accountability.
Brad and Amber shared how they learned to fight fair in their marriage. Instead of keeping score of who did what, they choose service over selfishness. It ended up becoming a competition of who can out-serve the other, and ultimately was transforming more and more into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This approach became their practice of how they’d win the battle of overcoming marital issues. This shift in their marriage brought much needed healing, trust, and deeper intimacy.
Practical Tips for Fixing a Broken Marriage
Also, Brad and Amber shared some practical tips they’ve learned for fixing a broken marriage. They learned that they should:
Avoid discussing the bills after a hard day of work
Refuse to threaten divorce or even use the wor
Always remain grateful even in the midst of chaos.
Through these practices, they rebuilt trust, intimacy, and strength in their marriage. Showing that fighting for your marriage is a process worth committing to.
Faith and Family Through the Storm
When Brad & Amber first came together, it wasn’t a picture-perfect storyline. Brad had kids, and Amber had a dream of a big family. Blending both lives were easy, but through seasons of life, God was able to create an amazing bond with the entire family. Their youngest daughter, Avery, is referred to as the “chosen one” since she is the bridge that unites all the kids and helps foster a tight-knit family.
Brad believes wholeheartedly that God spared him not just to survive, but to make an impact. He believes he was created to help others and build something strong and life-giving from what was once broken.But life did not stop testing Brad. Brad shared how he struggled with alcohol when Avery was born. He admitted that it was one of the darkest season of their marriage.
Many couples would have called it quit, but Amber stood firm and fought for her marriage. They ended up seeking help, and their pastor told Brad frankly “satan wants to kill you. This is not a game”. Shortly after that realization, Brad got involved in Celebrate Recovery - not because he had, but because he wanted to fight for his family.
And then came the financial storm. Brad and Amber ended up buying their dream home. It had the one thing they wanted - a pool. Shortly after, the found themselves paying two mortgages for about 18 months. It was a trying period for sure, both financially and emotionally. But God reassured them that it will be okay during a sunday service. That whisper from God changes everything. A week later, they were able to sell their old house.
When they sold their dream house, they had no idea it was God preparing them for what would be ahead. Six months later, Brad was laid off from his job. Thankfully, because of their obedience, they weren’t burdened with a financial nightmare.
Through it all, whether it was addiction, pride, financial pressure, identity struggles, God kept showing up. Every time Brad would start to spiral into worry, Amber would remind him: “Remember how God showed up last time?” Over and over, she’s been the steady one, constantly pointing back to God’s undefeated track record.
Even though Brad may still have thoughts of fear and doubt, Amber is there to quickly rehearse past victories and trust God for what is ahead - even if they can’t see it. Through these trials, they learned that fighting for your marriage isn’t just about resolving conflict-it’s also about leaning fully into God and working as a unified team through the difficult seasons.
So, if you’re in a season that feels impossible whether it feels like your marriage is breaking, or your finances are crumbling, or your heart is too heavy , use the story of Brad and Amber as a testament that redemption is real. It did not happen overnight, but it happened one night. Their journey has its scars. But with obedience, community, and a whole lot of faith, God redeems everything.
If Brad & Amber’s story inspired you, consider sharing it with someone who needs encouragement. And I encourage you to partner with Faith Ignite to help bring more stories of hope to the world. Together, we can spread messages of God's faithfulness to those who need it most.
Devaughn Williamson President, Faith Ignite Inc
