Not everyone will experience the tormenting heartbreak or drowning sorrow of hitting rock bottom, but that doesn't make you immune. God is always working to bring His children back into His favor and away from unhealthy idols.

In the span of a week last July, I lost the love of my life to an unexpected divorce, and subsequently lost a pet, money, house, all on top of a two-year stretch being unable to find full-time work with a Master's degree I'd just shelled out too much cash on.

It was my Job moment. And having been actively running away from God for eight years, I had a choice to make: Keep running or turn and face the selfish choices I'd made which contributed to unwanted misery, depression and loneliness.

Bouncing back was not easy. Job praised God and never cursed Him during his trials. I had to be repentant and willing to change. Over the months ahead, I made my mistakes, but I also truly learned about grace, mercy and forgiveness for the first time. Slowly my pride began to get stripped away.

As I stood solely on the promises of God, my heart began to heal. I found myself wanting to talk to people again and began actively getting involved with City Church though I knew no one to start. Before long, a peace developed I'd never felt before. My outward circumstances may have changed little during this time, but my inward serenity has dominated my attitude.

I was reminded at Community Group recently that the first day I went was the day of what would have been my anniversary. I remember not wanting to go, having only known the host who'd invited me weeks before. He did not know my world had collapsed. But that night I found exactly the support I needed to get me through that extremely emotional day. In fact, my men's group has grown to become a source of daily accountability and strength, fun and friendship.

Now as I reflect, as crappy as 2012 was, I look forward to what God brings for this year: for me, for my many news friends, for City Church. In good and bad, may God be praised.