Proverbs 19:11,  The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.

Discretion is that ability to judge critically of what is correct and proper, united with caution, and primarily regarding one's own conduct.

In paraphrasing the first half of this verse I can say it this way:

Discretion takes time. It takes thought. The mind is engaged when discretion is being used.

Emotion gets in the way of discretion and emotion tries to barge ahead of discretion.

Time is needed to weaken the strength of emotion.

But discretion is a power that is of great value to a man or woman because it has great positive affect on something that can be very harmful to a person.

Discretion should be sought from the Lord.

Do you have discretion?

If you do, it is a tool that will hinder anger from coming too quickly.

It is a tool that applies the brakes to anger and causes anger to take a back seat and wait for it to be called at the proper time.

Discretion may not eliminate anger because anger is not supposed to be totally eliminated in all cases.

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:26,  Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath.

So there is a time to be angry. But this verse tells us that deferring anger is of great value.

God tells us that there needs to be an interval between that emotion which rises in us and any outward manifestation of that emotion that comes with anger.

Anger has a place in life. God displays his anger and God expects us at times to be angry.

But because we are sinners, God gives us a controller of anger and that controller is discretion.

God knows our frame and he has given us the tools that we need to be wise as we go about our daily living.

God desires that we not be quick in expressing anger either out loud or within ourselves.

See what he says in other proverbs about anger.

Proverbs 12:16,  A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.

Proverbs 14:29,  He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 15:18,  A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.

Proverbs 16:32,  He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city.

A man in a Passion rides a mad Horse.

The end of Passion is the beginning of Repentance.

Anger is never without a Reason, but seldom with a good One

William Penn said: Every stroke our fury strikes is sure to hit ourselves at last.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said: A man makes his inferiors his superiors by heat.

Want to know if you have discretion?

How do you handle an affront?

This is the test that reveals whether or not you are a slave to your own passion.

The world tells us to get even, to render insult for insult, but the Christian standard is "not rendering railing for railing, but contrariwise blessing."

And wisdom tells us that it is glory to pass over a transgression.

Do you think that every transgression against you, ought to be mentioned?

Passing over or letting an affront that you receive, pass without mention is a godly thing.

The man or woman that has this habit has discretion.