A Thankful Heart Is a Happy Heart

The songs we learn as children have a way of sticking with us. I am a product of the 1990s VeggieTales era and can still sing along with hits like “Where Is My Hairbrush?” and “The Cheeseburger Song” and “Barbara Manatee.” While the lyrics to these Silly Songs with Larry embedded entertaining lyrics deep in the recesses of my brain, the show also embedded biblical truths.

One of the more well-known episodes of the show focused on Madame Blueberry, a French aristocratic berry who was discontent with her belongings and sought to buy her happiness through purchases at Stuff-Mart. No amount of objects – despite purchasing enough to tip over the tree which held her house – truly made her happy.

Eventually someone came along and explained to her that she will never find happiness or contentment through material items. Instead, she should learn to be thankful for what she has, and in that she can find contentment. By the end of the episode, Madam Blueberry is singing along with the line, “A thankful heart is a happy heart.”

It’s probably been twenty years since I’ve seen that episode, but the catchy tune still serves as a good reminder. When I am struggling with contentment or with feeling unsettled in my heart, a singing blueberry pops into my mind reminding me to be thankful. Instead of focusing on what others have or thinking about the circumstances I wish were different, I pause and list things for which I am thankful. And in that thankfulness, I find joy.

It doesn’t happen immediately, and sometimes it doesn’t feel like it happens at all. But the more I do this, the more I see the posture of my heart changing. My prayers shift from “Lord, I give me this…” to “Lord, thank you for…” When I am in the habit of responding first with thankfulness, I feel a deep contentment and peace in what the Lord has already given me and how He is working in my life.

Not only is giving thanks something we should do, but it’s something we are commanded to do. Several places in scripture tell us to “give thanks in all circumstance” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), give “thanks always and for everything” (Ephesians 5:20), and give “thanks to God the Father” (Colossians 3:17).

May that continual thanksgiving be the posture of our hearts that leads to true happiness. 

Written by Randi Walle, editor and communications manager for the Charis Fellowship.