C172 pilot reported loss of aircraft control during cruise when they flew through an area of windshear and turbulence. Pilot regained aircraft control and exited the area.

Narrative

We were in the cruise phase of our planned IFR flight between ZZZ and ZZZ1 via the ZZZZZ intersection at 6000 FT. We were aware of and had been advised of rain showers but no convection ahead along our route of flight by ATC. We were actively monitoring the weather via our ADSB weather app on Foreflight as well as visually when possible by simply observing out the windscreen. We were in smooth air and in and out of cumulous clouds but no rain. We visually observed a substantial build-up along our path of flight and requested and were quickly granted permission to deviate to the north to avoid it. We were discussing the weather with our very helpful and professional Controller and he related he saw no heavy rain along our current path and that our current(deviated) course should keep us clear of the heavy rain he saw on his RADAR. Our ADSB concurred as we cautiously pressed on. We flew into solid IMC conditions; still in smooth air with no indication on our ADSB of any significant change to what lay ahead. At aprox XA:50 hrs while in solid IMC and unable to see exactly what we were inside of; our aircraft began to violently be pushed left; then right with huge variations of airspeed and attitude and altitude. We advised ATC that we were having a difficult time controlling the aircraft as they suggested a course they believed would get us clear; while advising us that they could not see anything but rain returns on their RADAR and showed none in our vicinity. We were NOT in any rain but in my opinion as PIC were in SERIOUS trouble and in danger of a structural failure of our aircraft. It was all I could do to maintain a safe airspeed below Va while not allowing the plane to stall altogether. After several mins of struggling to hold onto the plane; I saw a clear hole off my right(north) side that gave me a clear visual of the surface below. I Immediately turned for this hole and rapidly descended to reach the clear VFR air below while simultaneously advising our controller of our need to turn and descend IMMIDIATELY. Our Controller maintained his calm helpful demeanor and asked if I needed to [request priority handling] while approving our maneuver. As we were already emerging from the insanely violent cloud that we were inside of; I was confident that I had firm control of the airplane and it was still in one piece; I advised there was no need for [priority handling]. I simply advised that the area we HAD been inside of exceeded our aircrafts flight abilities but that we were now clear and under control. We continued our flight with no further issue and diverted to land early for fuel because of the fuel burn during this event and the attempt to avoid the weather before that. The cause of this event is multi-faceted but while we have all been taught not to rely on ADSB weather for tactical avoidance because of its time lag; I up until this event still considered it a reasonably good source of data about what lay ahead weather-wise. In this case; the ADSB weather gave me no indication of the violent embedded cumulous clouds I was approaching. Had I been able to visually see these clouds; it would have been very likely that my judgement would have been to avoid them. ATC was very accommodating with deviation requests and I have nothing but thanks and praise for my Controller that day; he was SO HELPFUL! With the facts being that neither the Controller or I could see any indication of heavy weather; I ended up in a bad spot. I have excellent past instructors to thank for preparing me for this substantial test of my skills; it very easily could have ended badly; and I am very aware of that.I attend seminar events often and think that this story would be one that could help other young pilots avoid experiencing an exciting event such as this.Reinforcing to pilots that just because the RADAR is clear does NOT mean that you and your aircraft are safe. I will not again knowingly fly into weather without this event being burned into my consciousness.With the exception of simply not flying into the clouds in the first place(kind of the point of an instrument rating) I'm really not sure what I could have done differently to avoid the experience. I will be discussing this in detail with my instructors and colleagues to limit my exposure to ever letting this happen again.