Today, I was given loads of Kavod, and I wondered how to react. Maybe since I’m getting so much Kavod in this world, this is: וּמ ש ל םְ ל שנ א יוְ אֶ לְ פ נ יוְ ל ה אֲ ב ידוְְֹואתחנןְ זְ י cheap payment for my Mitzvos in this world, instead of the true reward in Olam HaBah, Chas V'shalom. Or maybe Aderaba, it’s a sign how much Hashem loves me, since Chazal say that if a person is well liked by people, it’s a sign that he’s also well liked in Shamayim.
A person needs to focus on the Chazal that makes him come out ahead. If it makes you depressed and discouraged, then that way of thinking is a Yetzer Hara in a frum disguise, and it’s not for you. And if it gives you Chizuk and Simcha, this is for you, and you’ll indeed end up doing more, since you’re full of Chi'yus and good feeling.
However, when you see others getting extra Kavod, and you have a Kin'ah problem, then it’s K'dai (worthwhile) not to be Nis'pael, and realize that this person may be losing tons of Olam HaBah. The Chovos Halvavos says that a person should play down other people’s Mazal. For example, an Ani (poor person) should look down at an Ashir (rich person) and a Bachur should look down at the married people. (Of course, an Ashir and a married person have to see only the good side of their situation).
