Peace really seems to be in short supply these days. Every day, someone with a cell phone records confrontations, whether between two people or two groups of people. Responding to anger with anger stokes the fire of conflict. The New Living Translation puts Proverbs 15:1 in very straightforward words: “A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” My dad used to tell me, “You can’t control someone else’s actions, but you can control your own reactions.” We will encounter people who are hostile or ugly, but we don’t have to get caught up in their anger. If we do our best to remain calm and respectful, even if the other person chooses to remain in anger, we’ve done our part to keep peace. And in so doing, we’ve pleased our Father.