After a Little While
By Vivian Cumins
Vivian is graciously sharing Day 1 of her devotional and guided journal. If you enjoy this excerpt, consider ordering her resources at the links in her bio below.
Day 1 – Break Down Better: 52 Restoring Devotionals for Burned-Out Women
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a
little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10
After a Little While
Burnout does not happen overnight. It creeps in gradually. It starts with one missed quiet time. One overscheduled afternoon, one more “yes” when God called you to say “no.” These one-time instances add up and suddenly, life becomes more of a burden than a blessing, and God feels a million miles away.
That is exactly where I found myself when I hit the floor – utterly depleted by the weight of burnout. I remember crying out to God and asking where He had been in the years leading up to my breaking point – why had He left my side? But the truth is, God never left – it was I who left. Somewhere along the way, I chose to run my own life and leave God behind.
When we insist on managing everything in our strength and start doing things our way instead of God’s, we become vulnerable to the enemy. We give in to temptations and begin operating in extremes such as overworking, overcommitting, and overthinking – until we become weary, stressed, anxious, and even depressed. But here is the thing: God never intended for us to live like that. His design was for us to live with peace, balance, and purpose while walking with Him, not running ahead of Him.
Our actions apart from God can lead to suffering, but returning to Him brings guaranteed restoration. Today’s Scripture delivers that promise: after a little while, it says, He Himself will restore us. Did you catch that last part? He Himself – not a designated angel or prophet, but God! He is a loving Father who wants to be the one to wipe our tears, quiet our anxious thoughts, and rebuild what has worn down. And the other good news? Suffering is only for a little while.
When we give Him our calendar, career, commitments – and yes, even our control – balance will find its way back home, our strength will rise, and life will once again align with the beautiful purpose He planned for us all along.
Prayer
Father, thank You for being the God of all grace!
Day 1 – A Better Way! The Break Down Better Guided Journal
And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
1 Peter 5:10
Scripture to Guide the Way
God promises to restore everything that burnout, breakdown, and imbalance have worn down. While suffering may last for a little while, God Himself steps in to rebuild, renew, and strengthen those who return to Him – turning exhaustion into peace and weariness into steadfast faith.
Reflect Along the Way
1. Thoughtfully consider why you chose this guided journal. How have you experienced burnout or breakdown? Journal your story.
2. What does it mean to you that God Himself promises to restore you from seasons of burnout and breakdown?
Journal Prompt
The way I see it… (journal your thoughts).
About Vivian
Vivian G. Cumins is an author, speaker, and the host of the Juggling Life, Finding Balance Podcast, where she ministers to women seeking a balanced life.
A retired career professional with over twenty-six years of service in the United States Air Force and the Forest Service, Vivian draws from a wealth of experiences and a heart for helping others find peace amid life’s demands.
Vivian knows firsthand the challenges women face while juggling multiple personal and professional responsibilities. Having walked through her own season of burnout and breakdown, she now shares how partnering with God can bring calm, strength, and joy. With authenticity, warmth, and wisdom, Vivian equips women to honor God, care for themselves, and live a joyful, balanced life.
Vivian is married to her best friend, Eddy, and is the proud bonus mom to two adult children and a Glammy to five grandchildren.
To learn more about Vivian and her mission work, visit her website at viviancumins.com.
Order her devotional, Break Down Better – HERE
Order her guided journal, A Better Way! – HERE