Scylla or Charybdis, which would you prefer — to be eaten by a six-headed rock creature, or sucked into a gaping maw? Situated on opposite sides of the narrow Strait of Messina, the two terrifying creatures forced mythical mariners to choose one death or the other.

Which would you prefer — a too high self image or a too low self image?

This one guy was a bit deceived about himself. Without giving it a second thought he pulled up a chair at the head table — till the host, embarrassed for him, pointed to his name card at the back of the room (Luke 14:7-11). This other guy, whose motto was “jump before you’re pushed,” didn’t even try to invest his benefactor’s money; he was sure he would fail. The lender was not impressed with such self-deprecation and fired him straightaway (Luke 19:11-27).

I don’t know how this is possible, but I went into marriage 27 years ago with both a too low and a too high self-image.

Our hero Odysseus was forced to pick which monster would devour him. You and I don’t have to do that. Every day, whether we’re trying to be a good spouse, a good mother, run a business, or succeed in school, we can repeat in our minds what Jesus says: (1) “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5), and (2) “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

No more having to gin up healthy self-esteem. No more having to tamp down inordinate self-esteem. Just acknowledge reality.