The goal is not so much to overcome CBTD, as it is to make sure you are not overwhelmed by it. While sorting out and defining how I felt and what is going on with me I realized that I do not want to completely do away with CBTD syndrome. There are aspects of it that are positive, but there are many parts of it that are not productive. So I am seeking to make sure I am not overwhelmed by my CBTD and that I put to use the productive parts of it.

Confusion is rarely a good thing. The only time I can fathom confusion to be positive is when it would cause me to slow down long enough to figure out the right thing to do. Too often confusion leads to poor decisions.

Burdens are not bad in and of themselves, but they can be bad if we get buried by the burdens. We must be careful not to lose sight of the needs that create the burdens. The needs are real and we must keep praying about and seeking to meet the needs.

Tiredness can result from physical exertion, lack of good rest, stress or burdens. Being tired impacts nearly everything you do. When you are tired it is your body telling you that something is not how it was created to be and something needs to change.

Depression, whether a mild feeling down or of the more serious variety always need to be addressed.
So what do we do to keep from being overwhelmed by CBTD and overcoming some of it?

Start by praying and ask for wisdom to see yourself accurately. I don’t always see myself as I really am, anyone else have that issue? Pray for clarity, pray for wisdom, pray for strength, pray for courage to do whatever needs to be done and but don’t stop praying for the needs of others.

Evaluate your recent activities. Look at your calendar. What have you been doing recently? How busy have you been? Look at your physical issues. Have you been getting enough good rest? Have you been eating lousy? Do you have a physical illness that needs to be addressed?

Talk with someone you trust. A friend, someone from your small group, a counselor, your pastor, your spouse or a sibling or parent are often ones who can help you. Tell them how you are feeling. Tell them what is going on in your life and in your emotions. But, make sure you talk.

Pray some more.

Spend some time doing something out of your normal routine. Something that is interesting or enjoyable to you. A change of routine can do wonders.

Make sure you are heading in the right direction in your life and relationships. If you are not, then make a course correction.

Recognize that not all of CBTD is bad. Burdens are a natural part of caring for others and are often a motivating factor to pray. Tiredness and confusion can be helpful in small doses if it causes us to slow down and examine our life and direction. Just don’t stay in a confused or tired condition for long. Depression always needs to be addressed and if it lingers then get real help.

You are not strange if you are dealing with CBTD. It generally shows that you are out and about and that you are caring about what happens with other people. Let’s lift each other in prayer. Let’s encourage each other. Let’s serve together. Let’s lift each other up when we stumble. Let’s not give up.

Dennis