A severe mercy

Pain relief is an obsession of western medicine because that's something patients demand. And the availability of painkillers is often a blessing. Not to mention anesthesia. 

However, there are worse things than pain. Sometimes a painless sensation can be worse than a painful sensation. But sharp pain of a certain intensity blocks the mind from processing other sensations that may be even more unpleasant. 

So there's a way in which pain can be almost merciful, a kind of unexpected blessing, in that respect. Ironically, sometimes the preferred alternative isn't less pain but more pain. Pain of the right kind and intensity. There are different kinds of pain. But pain of a certain kind, at a certain level, can be distracting in a good way. A "severe mercy". That sheds neglected light on the problem of pain. 

Another advantage is that pain can be controlled in a way that worse sensations can't. Pain can be induced–like taking a cold bath. The chilling effect will make the worse sensation tolerable by blocking it from consciousness. There's a natural fear of death that Christians try to overcome. But this is a reminder that some things are more naturally fearsome than the natural fear of death, which makes that easier to face if handled the right way. It can take the mind off death. And it can be inspiring to take charge of a situation rather than be helplessly passive at its mercy.