The Horror of Exaltation (Micah 4:9-5:4)

Micah 5:4 is a wonderful prophecy about the accomplishment of Christ’s work.  There is no doubt that Micah is promising the ultimate victory of the Lord through humiliation.  If victory is promised then how can this humiliation be a horrible thing?  It would seem not that horrible because at the end of the story is the exaltation of Christ.  So, if the Lord is exalted then what can be so bad?  If this is just Micah presenting the gospel then how can the gospel be so difficult to embrace?