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There’s a feeling in the air that most of us can’t name. I’m not talking about oxygen, but something deeper within. From the constant buzzing of our phones to external noise, endless conversations, and thoughts racing a million miles a minute, it’s no surprise we’re fatigued, overwhelmed, and overstimulated. Not only are we receiving too much input, but we’re also carrying too much.
When we think about taking a break, we just can’t. We can’t afford to do less or put our productivity in jeopardy. But the bigger question is the source of this chronic condition: Are we overwhelmed because life is too heavy, or because our minds were never meant to hold this much at once?
What Overstimulation Actually Means
By definition, overstimulation isn’t just being overwhelmed, though that’s certainly part of it. Overstimulation is a combination of sensory and cognitive overload. It’s feeling pressured by an immense number of noises, screens, and notifications, but also mentally burdened by so much information and too many decisions. Typical signs include irritability, difficulty focusing, emotional reactivity, and shutdown or avoidance.
Sadly, despite these warning signs, modern life keeps us stuck in these patterns of overstimulation, even if the best parts of us genuinely do want to change. From the constant digital input of our phones, social media, the news, and the internet to a multitasking culture, we lack any silence or margin in our schedules. We’re always “on” mentality; therefore, overstimulation quickly turns into overwhelm.
When input exceeds processing capacity, our stress only continues to build. Our emotional backlog forms, and suddenly, even small things feel big because our systems are already maxed out.
Contrary to culture, God speaks in another way: Not in the noise or chaos, but in stillness.
God Speaks in Stillness
In 1 Kings 19, God spoke to Elijah not in an earthquake or fire, but in a still small wind. Verses 11-13 read this way: “ The Lord said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (NIV).
My favorite part about this passage is that God could’ve revealed Himself to Elijah any way He wanted. Elijah was fearful and exhausted after all. And yet, God chose to speak in a whisper. In the quiet stillness. Perhaps to tell us 2 things: 1. God often speaks to us in the way we need it most, and 2. Who are we to say how He will speak?
In Psalm 46:10, we see a similar message: “He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (NIV). While God certainly will continue to speak to us even in noisy and stressful times, I believe that we hear Him most when we take time to slow down and actually listen. God often meets us in the quiet and not the chaos, perhaps to help calm the storm raging within.