Pain helps

I was researching and speaking with orthodox friends and they spoke about how pain can help us direct our focus to the pain and then to God.

My irritation has become a big problem slowly growing from childhood. I could never get the sensation out of my stomach until I used pain on my arm to distract and I could finally calm down and my thoughts for a moment were silent. Like I released the pressure.

Perhaps this can help me spiritually and to keep the shadows at bay?