What am I capable of if grace no longer canopies my soul from the scorching intensity of flames within? Lord, my view of myself is horribly skewed by prevailing notions of an instinctual preservation. I like to think my temper is kind and my disposition peaceful. It is only when provoked that the true contents of this heart are revealed. Teased and offended, I can lash out like a wounded animal cornered by the enemy. When my raw wounds are touched, I fight back even against You, God. How easy it is to blame than to reflect. My self-image vanishes like smoke blown in the wind when trouble brings out the worst in me. What a poor reflection I am, Lord. What an abominable testimony I can be when my soul is stirred by the provoking winds of this earthly existence. If my heart were pure, then I would not need to fear the stirring that lifts the pollution to the surface. What lingers yet unseen in the heart can only be revealed by Your divine churning, Lord. I humble myself before You this day, knowing what a gain it is to see what you see. Only then can Your servant combat crooked propensities. Only when the filth is revealed can it be swept away so that it loses its poisonous effect. The pain necessitates motivation for the cure. Take me as I am, Lord Jesus, but leave me not here. Purify the waters within so that the final reflection will be one that brings You glory. Under the blessed power of the Word in Proverbs 27:19 and the authority of Christ, I bow in prayer.

As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.
Proverbs 27:18, NLT