But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth. (Psalm 86:15)

God is described in both Psalm 86 and Psalm 145 as gracious, merciful, and slow to anger. Jesus demonstrated those divine characteristics throughout his ministry. One unforgettable instance was his trial before Pilate and his scourging at the hands of the governor's soldiers. Jesus was interrogated, beaten, and demeaned yet he maintained his self-control.

Reacting in anger is commonplace in today's society, but rarely is it justified. Seldom is our outrage triggered by shameful behavior or corrupt practices, as was the case when Jesus threw merchants and money-changers out of the temple courts, the one place where Gentiles could come to pray. Rarely are we so infuriated by disrespect and contempt for what is holy that we are compelled to take a stand.

Most often we erupt in anger when people or circumstances disrupt our plans, interrupt our schedules, or thwart our desires. The result is a society with a growing lack of civility and a rising number of families in which kindness has no home.

Scripture teaches that anger stifles the Spirit, denying us the gift of peace. The peace Christ promises is not the absence of turmoil but calm during the midst of it. If we are slow to anger when faced with life's daily inconveniences, then, like Jesus, we can face the crosswinds of life with a greater sense of calm.