💡”…The Donkey Syndrome

Are We There Yet?”

“And it does not yet appear what we shall be…” — 1 John 3:2

If you’ve ever watched Shrek, you’ll remember Donkey leaning over from the back seat of the carriage yelling:

“Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there YET?”

Over and over again.

Annoying? Yes.

Relatable? Absolutely.

Donkey represents all of us at certain points in our walk with God — eager, impatient, excited, but frustrated that the journey is taking so long.

🔥 How Donkey Connects to 1 John 3:2

1 John 3:2 (KJV) says:

“…it does not yet appear what we shall be…”

This scripture reminds us that God is working on us, shaping us, growing us, and preparing us for what we cannot yet see.

But like Donkey:

• We want answers now

• We want change now

• We want blessings now

• We want the “end of the journey” right now

When we don’t see progress fast enough, we start asking:

“God… are we there yet?”

“Is my breakthrough coming?”

“Why hasn’t anything changed?”

Just like Donkey, we get restless, bored, irritated, and sometimes tired of waiting.

💡 The Donkey Syndrome

The Donkey Syndrome is what happens when:

• You can’t see what God is doing

• You don’t understand the process

• You feel stuck in the “in-between stage”

• Your life looks nothing like the promise God gave you

• And you’re tempted to keep asking, “Lord, when?”

But here’s the truth:

**We might not see the destination…

but God does.**

**We may feel like nothing is happening…

but God is working behind the scenes.**

**We may not look like what we’re becoming…

but the transformation is already in motion.**

That’s why the scripture says:

“…we are the sons of God, and it does not yet appear what we shall be…”

In other words:

✨ You’re becoming something you cannot see yet.

✨ Your future self is already formed in God’s mind.

✨ Your breakthrough is developing even if you don’t feel it.

🛑 Donkey Wants Arrival — God Wants Development

Donkey wanted to skip the whole journey and just “be there.”

But if he skipped the journey:

• He’d miss the growth

• He’d miss the lessons

• He’d miss the transformation

• He’d miss becoming who he needed to be for the destination

God cares more about who you’re becoming than how fast you get there.

🎯 The Message for Your Readers

When you feel impatient…

When you feel like nothing is happening…

When you’re asking God, “Are we there yet?”…

Remember:

You are in the process of becoming.

You are not stuck — you’re in transition.

Your future is unfolding, even if it’s not visible.

God already sees the version of you that is not yet revealed.

And when it does appear…

It will make sense why the journey took the time it did.

✨ When He Shall Appear — Face to Face ✨

“…but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” — 1 John 3:2

There is another layer to this scripture that goes far deeper than our impatience, our waiting seasons, or our “Are we there yet?” moments.

John doesn’t just talk about the journey…

He talks about the destination.

And it’s not a place.

It’s a Person.

🔥 The Moment Everything Changes

The scripture says:

“When He shall appear…”

Not if.

Not maybe.

Not someday if we’re lucky.

No —

WHEN.

There is a guaranteed moment coming when Christ Himself will appear…

and in that moment:

• Every question will be answered

• Every struggle will make sense

• Every tear will be wiped away

• Every waiting season will be worth it

• Every unfinished part of us will be completed

This isn’t about a spiritual feeling or a prophetic glimpse.

This is literal.

This is eternal.

🌟 Face to Face — Nothing Hidden

The Bible says:

“…we shall see Him as He is.”

Not dimly.

Not partially.

Not through our limited understanding.

But face to face —

Jesus revealed in full glory.

The same Jesus who walked on water.

The same Jesus who calmed storms.

The same Jesus who carried the cross.

The same Jesus who rose again.

We will see Him with no veil, no mystery, no distance.

And in that very moment…

✨ We Shall Be Like Him

The verse doesn’t just say we will see Him —

it says we will be transformed.

In an instant.

In a moment.

In the twinkling of an eye.

Everything broken becomes whole.

Everything weak becomes strong.

Everything earthly becomes glorious.

Everything incomplete becomes perfect.

This is the promise that lifts us beyond our frustrations.

This is the hope that anchors us when the process is slow.

This is the assurance when we can’t see progress in ourselves.

🔥 Why This Matters to “The Donkey Syndrome”

Donkey was focused on where they were going.

God wants us focused on Who we’re going to see.

Donkey wanted the destination.

But for believers, the destination is the revelation of Jesus Himself.

While we’re asking:

“Lord, are we there yet?”

He’s reminding us:

“I’m preparing you — because when you see Me, you’ll be like Me.”

This is why the waiting matters.

This is why transformation takes time.

This is why the process is necessary.

Because the end of the journey is not a castle, a stage, or a blessing —

it’s a face-to-face encounter with the King of Kings.

✨ Final Thought

You may feel unfinished now.

You may feel stuck.

You may not look anything like the promise God spoke over you.

But you are becoming.

And when He appears…

everything God intended for you

—everything He whispered over your life—

will appear too.

Because seeing Him will make you like Him.

🙏 Closing Prayer

Father,

Thank You for being patient with us even when we are impatient with Your process.

Help us trust You in the seasons where we cannot see what You are doing.

Strengthen our hearts when the journey feels long, and remind us that You are shaping us into who we are called to be.

Lord, when we are tempted to ask, “Are we there yet?” give us peace to wait, faith to believe, and eyes to see that You are working all things together for our good.

Prepare us for the day when You shall appear.

Make us ready for the moment we will see You face to face — when all things will become clear and we will be transformed in Your glory.

Until that day, keep us steadfast, hopeful, and surrendered to Your timing.

In Jesus’ Name.

Amen.

Author Bio:

Lauretta Scott is a faith-driven author whose writings inspire hope, healing, and spiritual growth. Through stories, devotionals, and real-life reflections, she encourages readers to trust God’s timing and embrace His transformation. Her passion is to uplift hearts, ignite faith, and remind others that purpose is always unfolding.