The God of Cracked Tile

Hardships or an Opportunity to Pray?

At one of the small groups I used to go to, the small group leader taught on hardships in life. He used an example of one of his friends, who had just installed new tile in his home. Shortly after the new tile had been laid, the house settled and cracked the tile across the floor. The small group leader told his friend, it was just part of life and that we shouldn't be surprised by such events. He then quoted this Scripture:

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. -1 Pet 4:12-13a (NIV)

There are a couple problems I have with this. First, the context of the verse quoted is that of being persecuted for the Christian faith. It is not referring to the regular crappy events that we experience from time to time in life. The same goes for all the verses in the New Testament that talks about hardship. They all refer to persecution.

Second, and this is what really got me, was the acceptance of the cracked tile. This small group leader is of a charismatic denomination. He believes in miracles. He believes in healings. If his friend had come to him and told him he had cancer instead of cracked tile, then the small group leader would have prayed for him - no questions asked. For crying out loud, if you believe God can heal cancer then drop to your knees and pray over the cracked tile! I'm reminded of this verse:

Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too - Romans 3:29

Is God the God over cancer only? Is he not the God over cracked tile too? Yes, over cracked tile too!

I have a lot of respect for that small group leader and there was some truth in what he was trying to teach, but I just didn't agree with his response to the cracked tile.