come-to-Jesus moment

noun

come-to-Je·​sus moment

variants or come to Jesus moment

plural come-to-Jesus moments or come to Jesus moments

: a moment of sudden realization, comprehension, or recognition that often precipitates a major change

Many patients emerge from illness having had a come-to-Jesus moment that reorients their thinking.

—James Hamblin

… I had … a come-to-Jesus moment with myself. I remember thinking, "What will you regret if you don't try?" So I went after my dream …

—Dianne Derby

Examples of come-to-Jesus moment in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their energy is heavy and combative, so much so with Shamea that Cynthia tries to orchestrate a come-to-Jesus moment at Lake Bailey. — Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 15 June 2026

His come-to-Jesus moment takes place during what can only be described as a total nervous breakdown. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2026

What accounts for Idol’s come-to-Jesus moment? — Zach Schonfeld, Rolling Stone, 25 Dec. 2025

Oh, and Kylo Ren has a come-to-Jesus moment, turns to the light side of the Force, and falls in love with Rey, because… who knows. — Sergio Pereira, Space.com, 17 Dec. 2025

My mother’s parking lot come-to-Jesus moment and subsequent Evangelical faith translated to an aversion to He-Man and The Smurfs (an episode featuring Smurfette and a Voodoo doll put the nail in that one). — Adam Verner september 3, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025

Several years ago, Graham had had something of a come-to-Jesus moment of his own after a promising relationship fizzled. — Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 24 Oct. 2024

After an entire season of buildup, Brooke and Cary finally have their own individual come-to-Jesus moments in the finale. — Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 29 June 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for come-to-Jesus moment

• enrolment