Gut punch

I got some really disappointing news today. I applied and interviewed for a position within my department that just opened up. I have been a backup to the girl who was in this position. I have worked for 7 years in my department. My boss called me today and let me know they have given the position to someone else in our department. So not only, did I not get the job, I have to deal with someone who has very little knowledge of the job and less experience. It is a huge punch to the gut. Knowing how much easier it would have been on everyone involved to give the job to me, where very little training would have been involved. It makes it that much harder that I was picked over. My boss tells me that this girl has earned the job. Well, what the hell have I been doing? I feel like all my hard work has been for nothing. I feel trapped in a job that doesn't challenge or interest me and any attempts to find something new have been fruitless. I really thought I had this job in the bag. I don't understand what lesson is to be learned here. I don't want to be bitter and I don't want to backslide at work. Right now I am angry and sad. I don't look forward to facing my co-workers tomorrow. I wish I could just be gracious about this whole thing, but I just feel like I got backhanded.