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You don’t know what Paul and God were discussing about the “thorn in his flesh”. Nobody knows what that thorn in the flesh was (possibly unending oppositions and persecutions that created much hurt and frustration “in the flesh” in Paul, as he details extensively earlier in the same book, 2 Corinthians).

Because context is our friend in understanding the Word.

7Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself!

8Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me.

9And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 10Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

The Greek for torment indicates a meaning of striking with the fist, maltreat, treat violently. The idea conveyed in this passage is Paul was struck with something sharp and painful. (Helps Word-studies).

This passage also indicates this was within God's sovereign will for this to happen to Paul. It was also within His sovereign will for it not to be taken away.

Your position is not supported by the Word when taken in its entirety.

If you pull a verse in Matthew out of context and try to build a belief around it you are not rightly handling the Word.

If your position is correct then people with strokes and heart attacks will be fully restored to their prior healthy selves.

Sometimes they are and sometimes they are not.

My mom died of a severe stroke four years ago. You can be assured people were praying for her to be healed. She was not. Why? It was not in God's plan for her to be healed.

However, the circumstances surrounding her stroke were. To keep it short, everybody who needed to be in place was.

Now, prior to that about 18 years ago she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Was she healed? Yes. Why? It was within His plan for her to be.

Our pastor's wife died last year of cancer. Was she prayed over? You bet.

Was she healed? No.

And please, before you say there was a lack of faith you best hold your post on that.

Can/does God still heal people today?

Yes, I believe He does.

Can/does God always heal people today every time? No He doesn't.

However, in all of these cases God is still sovereign.

Job summed it up pretty well:

1Then Job answered the LORD and said,

2“I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.

3‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ “Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”

4‘Hear, now, and I will speak; I will ask You, and You instruct me.’

5“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You;

6Therefore I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:1-6