Pain comes from seeing how arrogant you've been, and
pain brings you out of this
conceit.  A child cannot be born until the mother has pain. 
You are pregnant with real
trust.  The words of the prophets and saints are midwives
that help, but first you must feel
pain.  To be without pain is to use the first person wrongly.
"I" am this.  "I" am that.
"I" am God, like al-Hallaj, who waited till that was true to
say it.  "I" at the wrong
time brings a curse.  "I" at the right time gives a blessing.
Rumi