I Think I May Be Addicted to Noise

Written By Lori G. Melton

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“… a mighty windstorm hit the mountain … but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake, a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire, the sound of a low whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11–12

Hey friends,

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Sanctuary Stirrings Fall Series!​

This week, I was joined by my dear friend, spiritual director, host of the Glordinary podcast, and co-facilitator for the Women's Silence & Solitude retreat this November, Stacy Holmes.

In the swirling of life, the waters of our soul can get murky. Life in the 21st century moves fast, and it’s loud. We live day to day with our to-do lists … getting things done and reasonably happy.

But there’s also a longing inside to get off the treadmill, quiet all the other voices, find answers to the questions churning in our heads, and set our foundation again on the solid rock of our Heavenly Father’s love and our relationship with Him.

I'm excited to share this conversation with you--as we talk about the gifts waiting for us when we take a few hours or a few days alone with God.
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​(Click here to listen to the interview or here to watch it on YouTube)

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When Did Silence Get So Hard?

I've never been addicted to drugs or alcohol, but I'm beginning to wonder if I may be addicted to something far more subtle.

I think I may be addicted to noise.

Driving along the other day, I turned on a podcast. When it hadn't grabbed my attention after a couple of minutes, I reached for my phone and clicked on a different one.

Not even five minutes later, I remembered the Lectio 365 devotional I hadn't gotten around to listening to that morning. So I jumped to that instead.

But I didn't even make it through that twelve-minute devotional before I turned on the radio.

Jumping, jumping, jumping from one thing to another, without even knowing what I was searching for.

Whoa! It's a little jarring to see that scenario in black and white. And I live at the Sanctuary, lead retreats, and teach this stuff!

I'm guessing I'm not the only one.

We're Surrounded By Input

Podcasts, audiobooks, texting, email, music, social media ... We live in a world of endless avenues of stimulation.

Even though I feel the inner agitation and notice my shrinking attention span and heightened reactivity, something in me wants to shut my eyes and not look too closely at how often I reach for my phone.

It's a common malady of our time. And it's tricky. On one hand, we know all this noise is hurting us. On the other hand, we like it!

The question is, will we pay attention to the symptoms and make room for the abundant life Jesus came to give us? Or will we continue allowing the noise to crowd it out?

Like pond water stirred by a storm, our lives can become murky when we're constantly bouncing from one thing to another, when the decibels get too loud, or when we move too fast.

Sometimes we need to be still. To let the particles of our lives settle. To silence the other voices so we can hear God's quiet whisper again.

The God Who Speaks in a Whisper

We see a beautiful picture of this in the story of the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 17–19.

Elijah was one of the great prophets of the Old Testament. God worked powerfully through him, raising a widow's son from the dead, holding off rain for three and a half years, and then causing it to rain again at his word. Shortly after that, He worked through Elijah to show his mighty power at Mt. Carmel, sending fire from heaven to consume a water-drenched sacrifice.

Amid all the moving and shaking, Elijah’s life grew murky. He became disillusioned. Threatened by the wicked Queen Jezebel, the courageous prophet--whom God had moved through so miraculously--ran for his life.

For over 40 days, he ran until he reached Mount Horeb. He found a cave and slipped inside. In the middle of the night the Lord came to him. He asked Elijah a question, inviting him to pour out all the confusion he was struggling with. And then instructed him to go out and stand on the side of the mountain.

There he sent a hurricane-strength wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Occurrences where, if you were watching a modern-day superhero movie, you would expect God to roar His message from the heavens. But He didn't.

After the earth shook in every way, God spoke in the silence in a whisper. He answered the questions plaguing Elijah and set him on a strong foundation again.

Though Much Has Changed, This Hasn't

The demands of our lives may look very different from Elijah's, but our need for time alone with God hasn't changed.

Just as Elijah needed silence and stillness for the murky water of his life to settle again and set his feet firmly back on the Rock of Ages, so do we in this age of constant stimulation, with the pings, dings, and buzzes.

They say the first step to recovery is admitting that you have a problem. Well, I’ll be the first to raise my hand!

The good news is that we can start right where we are—by acknowledging the agitation within us, putting down the phone, turning off the podcast, drinking a hot cup of tea in silence, and listening for the Spirit's whisper.

And if you sense yourself being invited to something more. Find a few hours to slip away to a coffee shop or for a long walk. Spend a day or two at a retreat center. Or join us in November for the Fall Retreat.

Get ready to receive all that God has waiting for you.

Worth Anticipating:

​Fall Women's Retreat: The One Whom Jesus Loves ​

Wednesday, November 18–Friday, November 20, 2026​
​ The Hermitage Retreat Center | Three Rivers, Michigan

Come away for two full days of time alone with the Savior—to put your head on His chest, remember your identity as His beloved, and receive the clarity and peace you long for.

Time with Him is what we need most.

Beautiful facility and acreage. Home-cooked, farm-to-table meals. Private rooms. You’ll come away renewed in spirit, mind, and body.

Space is limited. Cost: $275.​
For more information or to register: lori@thesanctuaryatbearcreek.com​

Resources Worth Noticing:

Worth Pondering:

“The only way to grow deep in these weary lands is to be still and silent long enough to put our ear to the ground and hear the rumblings of our hearts, our longing, and our Creator. If we are to learn to see ourselves and the world clearly, we have to have moments, days, and seasons when we let the silt of our lives settle.”

--Tish Harrison Warren, What Grows in Weary Lands, pg 104

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So thankful to be journeying together,
Lori

Lori G. Melton
Next

What if You Took An Anniversary Getaway with God?