James 4:10

10 Humble yourselves <tapeinoo> in the sight <enopion> of the Lord <kurios>, and <kai> he shall lift <hupsoo> you <humas> up <hupsoo>. KJV-Interlinear

10 Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you. NASB

Though we look all around ourselves and see that we have to deal with people, bureaucracies, and systems in society galore, our first and only real relationship, is with God. All other interactions are based on the success of our spiritual life.

Psa. 51:4

4 Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done what is evil in Thy sight, So that Thou art justified when Thou dost speak, And blameless when Thou dost judge. NASB

Though people will be offended when you do something to them or when they perceive that you have done something to them, but our real failures in life are directly related to, and directed at, God.

When God promotes you, then and only then are you promoted.And Gods promotions are permanent.

When He gave you human life, that became a permanent promotion.When He gives salvation, that is a permanent promotion.When He gives blessings, they are permanent.

The only permanent cursing, goes to unbelievers who end up in the Lake of Fire.All other cursing, disciplines, or judgments are temporary and limited to this life only. There will be no judgments in eternity.

The way of discipline and heartache come through indifference toward God and doctrine.

The way of blessing and happiness is through humility, and humility comes through submission to, and obedience to, Gods will.

And, Gods will is simply to study daily His scriptures, to learn, to use, and to grow up spiritually. That is humility, or rather produces humility of soul. Humility is the opposite of arrogance.

Humility is unassuming and tolerant.

Arrogance is stubborn, presumptive, shallow, sensitive, opinionated, patronizing, intolerant, vindictive, condescending, implacable and so forth.

Arrogance gains you nothing although you presume everything.

Humility gains you exaltation from God, no less.

Exalt, here means to be lifted up, or acclaimed. And since man is nothing more than dust, then elevation to joint heir with Christ, of the new heaven and universe to come, is a mind-boggling promotion.

And that, is the reality and the difference, between the rewards of arrogance and the rewards of humility.

Now is the time to post a prayer.