Pain combined with prayer heals our hearts (nous) in a real way. Pain is a partial death, a spiritual experience of the world being broken, and in that state our ego and passions and self love that keep us from God have a chance to die, to starve. So in that state the "moneylenders" (selfish passions) in the temple of our hearts are pushed out. And if in the moments of pain we offer thanksgiving, such as "Glory to God in all things", then our hearts are cleaning out junk while simultaneously inviting God to come in and fill its place. If we do this, we will slowly experience more of God's love, we will give a deeper love back to Him, and we will be able to give divine love to others as the Saints do.
I always challenge people: for one year, try to thank God every time you feel any negative feeling. Physical pain, emotional pain, rejection, insecurity, shame from sin. Try to thank God in the middle of feeling the pain, specifically asking Him to use it to soften your heart and draw you close to Him. I think anyone who fights to do this for a year will notice their heart dramatically change.
