When did the bottom fall out on you, only to lead you to something MUCH better?

There was a moment, oh so many moons ago, that I now define as the lowest AND the most joyful time of my life.

I remember feeling lots of things; lost, confused, hurt, useless... and worse, almost as though I was hurting everyone around me when all I wanted to do was help. The most painful part though, was I felt completely alone. I remember closing my eyes and praying with all my might. I got out my prayer book and flipped to the section on 'Tests and Difficulties', before moving on to the longer tablets. It was a while before I could slow down a little, close my eyes and wait. Then it came to me.

I remember in that moment of sadness, finding joy. I remember my sobs turning to laughter as I recognized the absurdity of it all. How could I believe this? Or think for one second that I was worth less than anybody else? I felt like I had fallen prey to an illusion I had waken up from, come to recognize something that before I could never quite understand. I wasn't alone. Even better than that, I was never going to be. That moment of happiness washed over me like something I don't think I'll ever be able to explain, and something that I keep trying to.. because it was really significant to who I am now. But that moment of happiness, as indescribable as it was, never really left. I think it's my faith, it gave me a new perspective on life. It helped me realize my place in the world, not as another person worth more of less than anybody else, but as a part of Gods creation, created from the same dust as all those around me. I was just another person on my journey for spiritual growth, making discoveries every day and constantly striving to discover who I was. Any obstacles that would cross my path could never hurt me or slow me down, they could only make me stronger, because the opportunities they gave me could only test me and push me to grow even further to become the best I could be. I realized that my faith is not something separate from who I am but as much a part of me as the heart beating in my chest and the blood gushing through my veins, and this knowledge and the direction it gave me was never going to die of falter. I was good, and that feeling, that direction, has guided me to this day and constructed who I am.

Anyway, I don't think that the difficulties that we encounter in life are as significant as the ways in which we handle them. :)