"Un homme qui se couche dans l'obscurité n'est pas un exemple de foi."

When we talk about the idea of going to bed in darkness not being an example of faith, we’re diving into a rich metaphor about trust, belief, and outlook on life. At its core, it means that simply ignoring your troubles or living without hope doesn’t show true faith. Faith is an active thing—it’s about believing in the light, the positive, even when things get tough.

Let’s put this in some historical context. Imagine a time before electricity when darkness really meant darkness. Back then, light wasn’t just a flick of a switch away. When night came, it brought with it a sense of closure, of an ending. Going to bed in darkness without a candle or lamp meant you were simply resigning yourself to the night, to an unknown and potentially scary situation. Faith, in this sense, would mean lighting a candle—having hope that the morning will come and that the darkness isn’t the end.

To make this more concrete, let’s look at a real-life example. Think about someone like Thomas Edison. He didn’t just accept the fact that people had to go to bed when the sun went down. He had this crazy faith that he could change the world by inventing the light bulb. Imagine how dark the world must have seemed before his invention. But Edison didn’t sit in that darkness; he kept working, believing in something brighter. His faith was active, filled with hope and determination.

So how do you apply this idea in your own life? Start by recognizing that having faith means taking action. If you’re facing a tough situation, don’t just sit back and hope things get better. Make a plan, take steps toward improvement, even if they’re small. Light that candle. For instance, if you’re struggling with a job you hate, don’t just complain about it. Start looking for new opportunities, learn a new skill, or talk to a mentor. Show your faith in your ability to change your circumstances.

Picture this: You’re sitting at a coffee shop with a friend, and they’re feeling really down about a problem they’re facing. Maybe they’re dealing with a breakup. They say they’re just going to wait it out and hope they feel better eventually. You can see they’re metaphorically sitting in darkness. You might tell them this idea—don’t just go to bed in darkness. Encourage them to take some proactive steps. Maybe they could start by reconnecting with old friends, diving into a new hobby, or even just getting out for a walk each day. It’s about doing something, anything, to show that you believe things can and will get better.

Life throws a lot at us, and the darkness can feel pretty overwhelming sometimes. But remember, having faith isn’t just about belief—it’s about action. Light that candle. Take those steps. Show the universe that you’re not just waiting for the dawn, you’re making it happen.