Slow To Anger

The discretion of a man [or woman] makes him slow to anger,And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

Proverbs 19:11 (NKJV)

The New Living Translation phrases it, “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.”

Discretion is a word we seldom hear, and truthfully, something we seldom see, either. The Hebrew word is sekel, which first of all means “intelligence,” but it is not an intelligence that is just kept in your head. It is an intelligence that gives you good sense, good judgment that translates into wise actions. Discretion is applied here as we respond to disappointments, frustrations, and the failures of others. Are we quick to anger or slow? This is the true test.

Ladies, let’s take this for a test-drive in our daily living. When we see a dirty dish in the sink or socks left on the floor, does it tick us off? When someone takes our parking spot or scratches our car, when our kids lose their math books or our husband forgets our birthday, does it tick us off? When our friend does not return our phone call or the bank makes a mistake, does it tick us off? In the course of our days, hundreds of things can go wrong. If we respond with anger, even a quiet smolder, this is bad, unintelligent living—bad for us and bad for others. On the other hand, think of a time when you made a mistake and someone was patient with you, gracious, and sweet. What a surprise! What a breath of fresh air! It’s been said, “To err is human; to forgive, divine.”

Make It Personal . . . Live It Out!

I spoke a word in anger to one who was my friend.

Like a knife it cut him deeply, a wound that was hard to mend.

That word, so thoughtlessly uttered, I would we could both forget.

But its echo lives and memory gives the recollection yet.

—C. A. LUFBURROW IN “THE ECHO”

If we don’t learn from our mistakes, we are destined to repeat them. Grace wins friends and influences people. Practice grace, speak grace, and grace will come back to you.

One Year Bible Reading

1 Chronicles 19:1–21:30; Romans 2:25–3:8; Psalm 11:1-7; Proverbs 19:10-12