2 Corinthians 12:
That's the purpose of Paul's thorn: to keep him humble. God humbles everyone, including his prophets and servants.
It was not literally a thorn. Satan used it to constantly harass Paul. God used Satan to keep Paul humble. It could be some kind of psychological attack. Perhaps that's why Paul wasn't being precise in describing it.
The thorn was a weakness in Paul.
This was how Paul dealt with it practically in contentment.
He looked to the strength of God, not to the thorn. That's the bottom line.
My post is in support of your post.
Paul openly told his fellow believers that he was dealing with “a thorn in the flesh,” a trial of some sort. All though Paul begged God to remove his affliction, it still remained.-2 Corinthians 12:8.
The Bible does not state just what this “thorn in the flesh” was. Whether physical, emotional, or both, the metaphor suggests something that caused him pain. Or the thorn may have involved individuals who challenged his credentials as an apostle and called into question his preaching and teaching work. (2 Corinthians 10:10-12; 11:5, 6, 13) Regardless, 2 Corinthians 12:7 suggest that the “thorn” was being caused by Satan.
He stated why God did not remove his thorn in the flesh: “That I might not be overly exalted.” His “thorn” reminded him of his limitations and helped him to maintain a humble view of himself. That is in line with what Jesus taught: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12) Trials can teach God’s servants humility and help them to appreciate that to endure faithfully they need to rely on Jehovah. Thus, like the apostle, they can “boast in Jehovah.”-1 Corinthians 1:31.
Like Paul, perhaps you face a similar situation today. You may have prayed with persistence and with confidence, asking Jehovah to remove a trial. Despite your repeated petitions, however, the problem still confronts you. This does that mean that God did not respond to our prayers and that his spirit is not helping us.-Psalm 10:1, 17.
