I find the idea that the worst thing that can happen is an emotion, empowering and helpful.

I was discussing this idea with my friend, who suffers with chronic pain. She pointed out that her pain is far worse than feeling an emotion, so is actually the worse thing that can happen. This blew my brain a bit because in any other situation you have a thought and feel an emotion, but if you experiencing extreme pain you are feeling that rather than having a thought and then experiencing an emotion.

Is this example an exception to the rule?