I was someone who thought no one would use me, that just because I was trustworthy I would be able to help everyone who crossed my path without any problems. When I was in high school, I learned a straightforward lesson. It starts off as doing nice things and favors for someone just because you're "the nice guy." The problem was that it became a regular chore for me- like I had to do those things for them. I was basically a nobody. Not a friend, not someone to talk to, not really to hang out with, just a nobody. If I could look back, I don't think I had much in common with them anyway.

Like I said before, I was thinking that I was supposed to be "the nice guy" because that was my reputation. In reality, I was helping some very toxic people.

Perhaps you might be thinking, "Wait, isn't that what you're supposed to do? Love the least of these?"

Initially, yes. I'm not saying helping and loving people here and there is bad, but when they start asking you for things constantly and not looking out for you is when it's a concern. Truthfully, not all people I have helped were/are toxic. The majority that I helped, however, were.

The entire time I was with these toxic people, I refused to try to fit in. I wasn't going to risk my health by doing some of the things they were doing. And you know what? I didn't miss out.

When I came to the point where I wanted to be free from being used like I was, I prayed to God and then said to myself, "Nate, what are you doing? These are not people you should be helping anymore. Let it all alone to God." After that, that's what I did. I refused to be around those people, help those people, not try to see those people, and it has been better since. I forgive those toxic people, and I hope they find redemption in Christ.

We've all heard the saying, "Don't talk to strangers." A better saying is, "Don't have anything to do with toxic people."

Don't let anyone use you because of who you are. It will become obvious once you realize that they see you as an object of welfare and not as a person (a.k.a. a nobody). They only seem to care about themselves and their own selfish gain. It is usually true that your parents notice your fake friends before you do. True friends will choose you over someone else and not stab your back. Find friends who have similar morals and interests as you do, but realize it's okay to disagree on things you don't have in common. Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do. Please don't ever feel pressured to do something because someone else is doing it (thankfully, in my situation I was able to go away from the bad things).