It is pretty easy, in most cases, to determine the difference between a person who is sober minded as opposed to one who is not. The one who is not sober minded we often refer to as being a flake. The seem confused, impulsive, emotionally unbalanced, and irrational. It is as if they can’t control their thoughts or behaviors. The sober minded individual has understanding, is emotionally balanced, is rational and controls their thoughts. Unfortunately, just like the person who struggles with alcohol, we can move from mental and emotional sobriety to unsobriety quickly and often.
I Thessalonians 5:8 says, “But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.” To be sober means to be in control of one’s thoughts and actions, able to manage stress and emotions. So let faith and love be a shield over your heart and let hope rule over your mind. When the heart is protected by faith and love, and the mind is focused on the hope of our salvation, we will be sober minded and in control of our thoughts.
Reluctant Retiree 