The more I thought to myself, 'Are my thoughts right, am I being obedient enough?' the worse it was... one of the most painful things you can experience in life is not so much physical pain, but being self-occupied. Because to the extent you are self-occupied, that's the extent you will be in pain.

In this quote, Joseph Prince, a pastor and author, speaks about the pain of being self-occupied and how it can cause inner turmoil. He reflects on how constantly questioning oneself—whether one's thoughts are right or whether one is being obedient enough—can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. Prince highlights that the more you are consumed with thoughts of your own behavior or decisions, the deeper the pain and suffering can become. This self-reflection, while natural, can lead to a cycle of self-doubt and anxiety, ultimately increasing inner distress.

Prince suggests that one of the most difficult emotional states is being trapped in a cycle of self-absorption, where the focus is entirely on your own thoughts and actions. This inward focus can create a kind of mental prison, making it hard to see beyond one's immediate concerns. By being excessively concerned with one's own performance or inner state, a person can lose perspective on the larger, more meaningful aspects of life, leading to an overwhelming sense of pain.

The quote also suggests that self-occupation prevents individuals from experiencing the peace that comes from looking beyond oneself, whether through faith, connection with others, or engaging with the present moment. Prince implies that true freedom and emotional healing come from releasing this preoccupation with oneself and turning attention outward, whether it’s through faith, service, or personal growth. Being too absorbed in one's own thoughts makes it difficult to experience peace and joy because self-focus fosters discomfort and anxiety.

Ultimately, Prince’s message is a call to stop being trapped by the constant need to analyze and critique one's own actions. By letting go of this constant self-monitoring and being more present in the world, one can find greater peace and emotional freedom. The quote emphasizes that the less we are consumed by thoughts of our own perfection or failure, the less pain we will experience, and the more at peace we can become.