2 Corinthians 12:7-10

And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

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.

I've always heard "everyone's got their 'thorn in the flesh,'" but wondered what Paul really meant by this term. Was it like one of those little thorns from a rose bush? No, the Greek word used for "thorn" in this passage literally means "a pointed piece of wood, a pale, a stake." Ouch. That gives rise to more vivid imagery than a little thorn from a rose bush. Whatever Paul was struggling with must have been excruciatingly painful -- not necessarily a physical ailment (though it may have been), but perhaps a sin in his life that he grappled with.

"For this I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me."

In the Bible, there is a particular significance to saying something three times in succession. I remember hearing this taught a while back and cannot remember the full significance. Does anyone have speculations about this? Thoughts? Ideas?