There are a lot of good motivational quotes that have been going around social media lately. Some of them are just feel good sayings. However, there is one that I believe is scripturally sound. It says, “Until God opens a door, praise him in the hallway.”
     I have felt like I was in a hallway, lately. My daughter graduated in May. We are in the hallway waiting for college. My church is searching for a new pastor. We are in the hallway waiting for our next leader. I have some exciting things ahead in my life as a writer, but they are not here yet. I am in the hallway, waiting.
     Hallways are not bad. They are leading somewhere. There are doors of possibilities or at least there are windows that shine a light of hope in most hallways. In the cases where there is no doors or windows, hallways eventually come to an end, even if we can’t see it from where we are standing.
     So, why do we need to praise God in the hallway? Praise keeps us from focusing on ourselves. It takes our mind off the waiting. It builds our faith. When we praise God, while we are waiting. We are telling God that we know he is working and that he will open the door when the time is right.

Here are some praise verses while we are waiting in the hallway:

     “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14) (NIV)
“But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you. (Psalm 39:7) (NIV)
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and shield. (Psalm 33:20) (NIV)
“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7) (NIV)
“For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.” (1 Chronicles 16:25) (NIV)