The distraction of pain is less painful than the pain of distraction. We've all heard at one time or another "You're such a pain". The pain of that statement lies in the blow to our pride. We take it personally and become distracted.
Our pride keeps us focused on ourselves. We can't bear to have our weaknesses revealed so we begin to channel all of our energies to the painful acceptance of hating our weaknesses.
Then we begin to believe the overly simplistic meaning behind "no pain, no gain" instead of “present pain with gain, future gain less distracted”. Philippians 3:10,11
The pain of distraction is more painful than the distraction of pain.