Paul's thorn in the flesh was that of Satan's messenger trying to buffet him much like all of us at times. Buffet here means to strike repeatedly as Satan used his demons to come against Paul and persecute him everywhere he went. Paul prayed three times for God to take these persecutions away and God said "no" as God said "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness".
God is not going to keep us from being persecuted or going through trials and tribulations as even His own Son Christ Jesus was faced trials and tribulations being persecuted to death on the cross and many martyrs after him in other ways. Even so still today as many are persecuted even to death for the witness of Christ. God gives us His power and authority through His grace to give us strength when we are persecuted like Paul said:
2 Corinthians 12:9 Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Act 9:15; 2 Corinthians 4:8-12; Galatians 5:11; 2 Timothy3:10, 11; 1 Corinthians 15:30-32; 2 Corinthians 4:7-18; 6:3-10; 11:23-28; 12:5-10; Galatians 4:13, 15
2Cor 6:3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed:
2Cor 6:4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses,
2Cor 6:5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings;
2Cor 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,
2Cor 6:7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,
2Cor 6:8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
2Cor 6:9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed;
2Cor 6:10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.
