The first thing you learn when taking voice lessons is how to properly breathe. It is a fundamental practice of singers and instrumentalists to learn how to expand their diaphragm. As humans, we are innately born with the ability to do so from birth, by using seventy percent of our lung capacity, but as we grow into adulthood that percentage reduces to thirty. This is why it is important to be intentional in our breathing and always remember to breathe.

Breathing plays a major role in our spiritual life as well. In the Bible, breath is associated with our spirit and the Spirit of God correspondingly. From creation, God breathed his breath into Adam for him to become a living being (Gen 2:7). Jesus also states, “The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you--they are full of the Spirit and life” (John 6:63). Paul reminds us that we are to always remain “filled by the Spirit” (Eph 5:18). In the Old and New Testaments, the words used to identify the Holy Spirit are the words “Ruach” in Hebrew and “Pneuma” in Greek which both mean wind, breeze, or breath.

For us to breathe better, both physically and spiritually, we have to remain filled with God’s word and his praises should always be on our lips. It is how we can intentionally expand our capacity to breathe and be in a continuous rhythm of inhaling and exhaling the life and Spirit of God. Many have been suffocated by sickness and injustice, but Jesus has come so that we would receive healing and peace from it all by the breath of the Holy Spirit. After his resurrection, Jesus met with his disciples and breathed on them saying, “Receive the Holy Spirit” (John 20:22). He wants to do the same for you, so take a deep breath and receive the fresh breath of the Holy Spirit today.