I have from time to time thought about the “thorn in Paul’s side”. Paul prayed on 3 separate occasions for YHVH to remove the thorn. For the most part, I was taught and heard teaching that focused on what the thorn was. I think I was shown what this is really about. The issue is not the thorn but the purpose for the thorn. Obviously, YHVH could have removed it but chose not to. YHVH never tells us what the thorn is. There are things that should never be told, because it takes you into the relm of uncovering nakedness, gossiping, murmuring, shaming, etc.
Paul was mightily blessed, YHVH chose to use this “thorn” that was peculiar to Paul for the purpose of keeping him humble and submitted to YHVH. It is the same for us. We each have a thorn or thorns that YHVH could remove, but allowing it to stay; keeps us humble and submitted to him, otherwise we could easily become more prideful and arrogant then we already are. Also, the more YHVH blessed Paul (ie. the miracles he performed, etc.), the easier he could have become more prideful, arrogant and walked away from YHVH, thinking the things being done were by him and not YHVH. The thorn can be anything, and is not limited to sickness or illness.
Devorah