The old phrase, “to have one’s ears pinned back”, refers to a horse’s mental state. Normally, a horse will hold its ears erect and alert. But when frightened or angry, the horse will put its ears back against its head. It’s best to pay attention to this overt signal!
Like the horse in the picture, every horse has been known to lay those ears back flat from time to time. And, perhaps with good reason.
Hhhmmm….sounds like some people you know, doesn’t it? When even the least bit threatened (ego, status, security, position) some folks “pin their ears back”. Others, just let things roll of their backs and keep moving, often with grace and laughter and class. I find myself falling into both categories. Why is that?
Inheritance, that’s why. Somewhere back there, we inherited a sense of fear or anger or submission or lack of self-worth. Or we may have inherited confidence and value and love and encouragement. We certainly all have had at least a portion of all those at one time or another, right? The people you are leading, regardless of what setting you find yourself in, have inherited these things, too. Some will cause negative reactions because of their history. Learn what those trigger points are and lead accordingly. How? Try Paul’s suggestion of “speaking the truth in love”. And when that doesn’t work…do it again. And when that fails…do it again. And when you get tired of doing it…do it again. The ears will eventually come forward again.
Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up. – Proverbs 12:25 (NIV)
ACTION ITEM –> Who do you need to lovingly speak truth into? When will you do it? What words will you use?
