Actor Neal McDonough has always been honest about his faith, his moral parameters when it comes to filming, and the acting drought he believes he faced in 2010 due to his religious views. However, McDonough, 56, recently told Fox News how his faith guided him through those struggles and helped him land on the other side.

“There was a time when I wasn’t working. I couldn’t get a job because people thought I was this crazy religious guy,” he said. “But that wasn’t the case. I love my wife, but I love my acting too. I was hopeful that, at some point, someone would give me a chance again.”

McDonough, who is Catholic, famously alleged he was fired in 2010 from the show “Scoundrels” for his refusal to do sex scenes. But his filming parameters weren’t a new policy, as the actor also doesn’t kiss others on screen and had reportedly long been open about that fact. Still, “The Band of Brothers” star believes his unwillingness to do these scenes eventually harmed his career, and he told Fox News he found himself frustrated and pleading with God.

“I remember falling to my knees and saying, ‘God, why have you forgotten about me? Why am I being punished so much?” McDonough said. “And as soon as those words came out of my mouth, I realized what self-absorbed questions those were.” The actor realized God had given him a lot in life and that he should have been overtaken by gratitude instead. He told Fox News, “We all experience challenges in our lives. I should be grateful — and thankful — for all the blessings I’m given.”

He said he received a phone call a few minutes after that prayer and was offered a role on “Justified.” From there, the jobs came back, and “everything was kind of forgotten,” McDonough said. The actor said he’s grateful to God for all he has in his life and career.

As Faithwire previously reported, this isn’t the first time McDonough has addressed these issues. He told Closer Weekly about the “Scoundrels” issue a few years back, describing his apparent Hollywood drought that followed as “hard.”

“It was a horrible situation for me. After that, I couldn’t get a job because everybody thought I was this religious zealot,” he said. “I am very religious. I put God and family first and me second. That’s what I live by. It was hard for a few years.”

Despite McDonough’s difficulties, he should be commended for standing firm in his convictions in an industry that typically doesn’t reward such behavior. It can be easy to give in when things aren’t going your way or feel cast aside. However, McDonough chose to stick with his beliefs instead of giving in, even though he believes it almost cost him his career. As soon as McDonough cried out to God, he realized how silly and selfish he sounded. As soon as he realized this, God gifted him with another opportunity. This story is proof that sometimes, God will take away something to give us something better.