Let me first point out two ways you should not react: either by compromising your convictions, or by condemning those around you and cutting yourself off from them. Either path would be wrong.

Instead, ask God to give you love and wisdom as you interact with those around you. Do they see Christ in you? Do they sense His love and compassion by the concern you show for them and their families? Do they see His patience? Do they see His joy and peace in your life, even in difficult times? Renew your commitment to Christ, and make it your goal to become more like Him.

Then ask God to help you be wise in what you say. The Bible says, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). As you read through the Gospels, see how Jesus dealt with others–even His enemies.

Above all, remember that God loves those around you–and He calls you to love them as well. Pray for them, for they need Christ, and God has put you in their midst as a witness to His love and salvation. Let Isaiah’s words become yours: “He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners” (Isaiah 61:1).