Character is the product of daily, hourly actions, and words and thoughts; daily forgivenesses, unselfishness, kindnesses, sympathies, charities, sacrifices for the good of others, struggles against temptation, submissiveness under trial. Oh, it is these, like the blending colors in a picture of the blending notes of music which constitute the man.
You have no control over how your friends treat you but you have absolute control over whether your spiritual batteries are charged. If they are, you’ll have strength even when your friends are trying to take you down the road you don’t want to go.
What is Christian maturity?
It is silence when our words would hurt;
It is patience when we’re being hurt;
It is deafness when scandal flows;
It is thoughtfulness for another’s woes;
It is sharing whatever little we have;
It is being kind rather than being right most of the time.
Stop being intimidated. Don’t enter into the name-calling war. Hold onto your heart as you stand firm. Jesus said a tree is known by its fruit. Gal 5:22-23 lists the fruit Jesus prioritizes: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness & self-control.