Anthony’s Wake-Up Call: How 1 Thessalonians 5:6 Reminded Him to Stay Awake and Sober in His Faith

Anthony had drifted. He still went to church when he could, said grace before meals, and called himself a Christian, but deep down, he knew something was missing. Life had gotten comfortable, and his faith had gone quiet.

He wasn’t living in open rebellion. He was just distracted. The long work hours, constant scrolling, and easy entertainment had dulled his hunger for God. Nights that used to end in prayer now ended with television and tired eyes.

Anthony had everything but passion until God’s Word shook him out of comfort and called him to stay awake and sober.

One Sunday morning, his pastor read 1 Thessalonians 5:6. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. The words felt like they were aimed straight at him. It was the first time in months that he felt convicted instead of just inspired.

That verse echoed in his mind for days. He realized how spiritually sleepy he had become. He had let comfort and distraction take the place of pursuit. His faith was on autopilot.

The next morning, he woke up before sunrise and sat on his porch with a cup of coffee. The air was cool and still. For the first time in a long while, he asked God to wake him up from the inside out. “Lord,” he whispered, “help me to be alert again. I don’t want to drift anymore.”

That simple prayer started something new. Over the following weeks, Anthony began changing small habits that had numbed his spirit. He replaced the endless scroll of his phone with Scripture reading. He started taking prayer walks after work instead of zoning out in front of a screen. This allowed him to stay awake and sober.

A quiet morning with God changed everything. Anthony found new life the moment he chose to wake up to His presence.

At first, it felt hard, even unnatural. But soon, he noticed his mind clearing. His heart began to feel alive again. Little by little, his priorities shifted.

One night, he was talking with an old friend who said, “Man, you seem different lately. What’s going on?” Anthony smiled and said, “I woke up. God was trying to get my attention, and I finally stopped hitting snooze.”

That moment reminded him that being “awake and sober” wasn’t about fear or legalism. It was about clarity. It was about being aware of what mattered most and refusing to drift through life half-alive.

As weeks turned into months, Anthony’s faith grew steady again. He started serving at church, not because he felt obligated but because he wanted to live wide awake to what God was doing around him.

He began seeing opportunities to help others everywhere. He encouraged a coworker going through divorce, reconnected with a distant family member, and led his kids in nightly prayer. Each act reminded him that spiritual alertness is a daily choice.

Looking back, Anthony realized how easily comfort can turn into complacency. But once God wakes a man up, he never wants to go back to sleep.

Now, when he reads 1 Thessalonians 5:6, it isn’t just a verse, it’s a reminder. Stay awake. Stay sober. Stay ready.

Anthony’s story shows that the greatest danger to a man’s faith isn’t failure; it’s falling asleep.

What helps you stay spiritually awake?

• Reading God’s Word daily
• Prayer and reflection
• Serving others
• Removing distractions