The Problem of Life: How to Find Identity, Purpose, and Joy in a Disenchanted World

by Mark Clark

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2025

Compelling answers to your biggest questions about life.

The Western world faces unprecedented levels of depression, anxiety, and loneliness. Despite advancements in wealth, knowledge, and longevity of life, many feel their lives lack significance, leading to a deep longing for fulfillment and happiness. 

In The Problem of Life, author Mark Clark recounts a pivotal moment when he mistakenly informed a woman of her husband's death. This profound mistake taught him invaluable lessons about existence and purpose. He argues that our relentless pursuit of money, family, and friendships--while important--often distract us from what truly matters, leaving us disenchanted.

What if we could address this inner ache? What if we could discover our true place in the world?

In this final book of a trilogy which began with The Problem of God, Clark presents 11 practical principles to help us flourish. He explores foundational topics like our origins, identity, and the meaning of suffering while drawing from biblical theology, psychology, and engaging stories, like:

• His battle with Tourette Syndrome and how it made him a better preacher and person.
• How he accidentally saved a woman from killing herself.
• Why scientists and tennis players agree that the cultural conversation about gender is all backward.
• Why your view on Sea World may predict your level of anxiety.
• What the dramatic events surrounding a false missile alert in Hawaii in 2018 have to do with you.

 

The Problem of Life illustrates how we may be looking in all the wrong places for joy, contentment, and satisfaction and points us toward God as the remedy for our brokenness. 

Product Details

• Title: The Problem of Life: How to Find Identity, Purpose, and Joy in a Disenchanted World
• Author: Mark Clark
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2025
• Logos Release Date: 2024
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Ebook
• ISBNs: 9780310108467, 9780310108450, 0310108454, 9780310108474, 0310108470, 0310108462
• Resource ID: LLS:9780310108467
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-12-04T07:20:07Z

About Mark Clark

Mark Clark was born and raised in Toronto, and became a follower of Jesus in his late teen years. He is the Founding and Senior Pastor of Village Church a vibrant, multi-site church of 7,000 people. He is the author of The Problem of God: Answering A Skeptic's Challenges to Christianity and was listed as one of the “26 Leaders To Watch” by Outreach Magazine in 2017, and his sermons are downloaded hundreds of thousands of times per year in over 100 different countries. He resides in Vancouver, Canada with Erin and their three daughters.