If you ask author, Candace Paul, about her debut novella, Spiritual Warfare, she’d tell you it almost didn’t happen. “I’d devoted endless hours writing this book only to tuck it away for years unsure if I should pursue publishing it.” Candace said.
For her, the book was not intended to be a casual light-hearted read. The book was meant to make readers think about the spiritual consequences of their choices. “I guess I was concerned that I would somehow be the bearer of bad news and I didn’t want to be that person.”
However, an epiphany changed Candace’s position. “I was watching the news and I heard yet another story of an unarmed black man killed by police. Shortly thereafter, I saw a documentary about the tainted water in Flint, Michigan and how the issue is still unresolved. Then, I read statistics about the crime rate in Chicago and the mass incarceration of African-Americans and Latinos. All of this was followed by learning that collectively humanity passed the “Carbon Tipping Point” and I felt myself getting very upset and frustrated by what was happening in the world while simultaneously having this overwhelming sense that there was nothing I could do about it.” Candace said.
Candace could feel apathy setting in, and for her, it was one of the worst things that could happen. “To me, apathy becomes a way of justifying inaction and selfishness. If you truly feel there is nothing you can do to change anything, why should you still care about anything that’s happening? Why not mentally and emotionally checkout?”
According to Candace, this faulty reasoning overlooks the truth. “It was as if God smacked me on the back of the head to stop me from thinking that way. The truth is… we have to care about each other. And there is always something we can do to bring about change. It may require collective action, innovation, more planning…but it can be done.”
The feeling of hopelessness Candace experienced was replaced with a sincere interest in her writing. “I suddenly had a renewed desire to read my manuscript and at this point, it had been years since I read it. So, it genuinely felt like I was reading someone else’s words. In many ways…I was.” Candace said.
According to Candace, she was reading the words of her younger self. “I was reading the words of a young woman whose only desire was to figure out how she could use her talents to change things. She was optimistic, insightful, and faithful. She was passionate and motivated. Where had she gone?”
After reading her own words years later, Candace was convinced she had to publish Spiritual Warfare. “Through fiction, my book discusses everything that upsets me about the world and the reasons behind it. What if the goal of those in power is never to solve anything? What if the “greater good” was never a real priority? What if the plan is to keep us distracted and disengaged long enough so we don’t consider what truly matters? I discuss all this in the book and I knew that I could no longer let myself get in the way. This was bigger than me. If I wanted to make a difference and if I wanted to get others motivated to do the same, this was how.” Candace said.
For this author the goal of her book is very simple. “If my words could encourage a few people to consider their walk with God, get uncomfortable about injustice, and become upset about the excessive greed that cultivates inequality, the book would have fulfilled its purpose.”
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