"I am convinced we can choose joy. Every moment we decide to respond to an event or a person with joy instead of sadness. When we truly believe that God is life and only life, then nothing need have the power to draw us into the sad realm of death. To choose joy does not mean to choose happy feelings or an artificial atmosphere of hilarity. But it does mean the determination to let whatever takes place bring us one step closer to the God of life."

Joy comes from seeking to see all things through the perception of God in contrast to seeing things through the eyes of the world. The world sees death as a finality and even a tragedy. But death as seen through the eyes of God is a passage from this mortal life to an immortal, eternal life. The only sadness  would be if the person does not die in union with God. But if that person dies in union with God, then that person's life is complete. I should rejoice in the person's victory rather than be sad at my loss. If we begin more and more to see things through the perception of God, then we may realize the true joy that comes from God in all circumstances.