Congratulation on the wonderful work you are doing. I have a problem. I have a sister who is four years older than I am and she is giving me hell. She is always insulting me and calling me dirty names. She even called me a whore and a slut. I can't take it anymore. Whenever I complain about what she is doing to me, she does even worse. I hate her.

Because of her attitude towards me, I resent her. We don't get along at all. At first, I never used to answer her but now I stand up to her and tell her my mind. Sometimes we don't speak to each other for days, and we are living in the same house. She is not a nice sister to me. Even my parents speak to her and she is still fighting me down.

I am not saying I don't have faults, but my sister is malicious, wants to keep me down and to boss me around. Her mouth is filthy. I want you to give me your advice.

P.T.,

Dear P.T.,

When your sister abuses you, try to remain calm. As an older sister, she should be setting good examples for you, but she is not. She shouldn't be cursing and calling you derogatory names. She is behaving as if she hasn't had good upbringing.

Some older siblings don't treat younger ones with respect. They feel they can do and say anything to them. Your sister falls into that category. So, I repeat, remain calm at all times. When you feel angry with her, walk away. Don't respond. Call your friends on their cellphones and talk for a while.

You know you are not living a loose or promiscuous life, so she has no reason for calling you a whore. Such description would get anyone upset. Nevertheless, don't respond.

Pastor