How do you discern what’s really going on when your soul feels . . . off?

We’ve all experienced it. Something just feels off. You can’t quite explain it. You’re not necessarily sick. Nothing obvious is wrong. But internally something feels wonky, heavy, or out of alignment.

In this episode, Raz and Jamie talk about the very real human experience of those moments—and what we can do when they happen.
Instead of ignoring the feeling or immediately trying to fix it, we discuss how those moments can become an invitation to go to Jesus and let Him speak into what’s really going on.

Often the feeling itself isn’t the problem. It’s a signal that something deeper needs attention.

Here are some of the possibilities we explored.

1. It Might Be Physical
   Sometimes the explanation is simple: you’re tired, dehydrated, hungry, or your body just needs rest.
2. The Crash After a Mountaintop
   After an intense spiritual experience, ministry moment, or emotional high, there is often a physical and emotional crash. Adrenaline fades. Energy drops.
3. Unconfessed Sin
   Sometimes the “off” feeling is conviction. Psalm 32
   describes how the psalmist’s bones wasted away while he kept silent about sin.
   When something inside us feels heavy or uneasy, it can be an invitation to ask: “Lord, is there anything in my life that I need to confess or bring into the light?”
4. Spiritual Malnourishment
   Sometimes we are spiritually hungry but feeding on things that don’t satisfy. We fill ourselves with the “cotton candy” of life—empty distractions, shallow joys, constant stimulation. But when we avoid true nourishment in God’s presence, our spiritual blood sugar drops.
   That inner “off” feeling might simply be a soul that needs real food.
5. Busyness and Overload
   Life can become so full that our souls start sending warning signals. When everything is rushed and crowded, our inner life begins to lose its center. Sometimes feeling off is the soul saying: “Slow down. Come back to Jesus.”
6. Grief and Sorrow
   Grief doesn’t only live in the mind—it lives in the body. When we’re processing loss, disappointment, or sorrow, our bodies can carry that weight.

And Jesus understands this deeply. He experienced the full range of human emotion. Sometimes feeling off is simply the body holding grief, and Jesus understand this.

1. Relational Tension
   When relationships are strained or unresolved conflict lingers, it often shows up as a lingering heaviness inside. The Spirit may be prompting us toward: forgiveness, conversation, reconciliation
2. The Social Media Effect
   Modern algorithms are literally designed to destabilize our emotions. They thrive on outrage, comparison, insecurity, and anxiety. Sometimes feeling off isn’t spiritual at all—it’s simply the effect of absorbing hours of algorithm-shaped emotions.
3. Being Out of Step With Jesus
   Sometimes the feeling is actually spiritual guidance. When we are yoked to Jesus (Matthew 11:28–30
   ), our lives move in step with Him. If we start pulling in another direction, we may feel internal tension.

In Acts 16, Paul was forbidden by the Holy Spirit from going into Asia. The Spirit redirected him. Sometimes feeling off is the Spirit saying: “Pause. Check your direction. Come back into step with me.”

The Invitation
The key question in those moments isn’t: “How do I make this feeling go away?”
The better question is: “Jesus, what are You saying about this?”

That simple prayer turns a confusing moment into an opportunity to walk with Him more closely.<

In this episode, Raz and Jamie talk about the difference between gospel-motivated obedience and performance-driven holiness.

Many of us approach sanctification like self-improvement — try harder, be better, do more. But Scripture paints a different picture.
In Epistle to the Romans 12:2, Paul says:
“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Both commands are passive.
You’re commanded not to let the world shape you — and to let God transform you.

Then in Second Epistle to the Corinthians 3:18, we see how it happens:
As we behold the glory of Jesus, we are being transformed from one degree of glory to another — by the Spirit.

We don’t sanctify ourselves through spiritual performance.
We are transformed as we fix our eyes on Jesus and partner with the Spirit.

Holiness isn’t hustle.
It’s surrender.

7 Steps to Posture Your Heart for Surgery:
(2 Corinthians 3:18)
Sanctification is something the Spirit does — but we can position ourselves for His work.

1. Settle
   Be still before God (Psalm 46:10).
2. Invite
   Ask the Spirit to open your eyes (Psalm 119:18).
3. Gaze
   Fix your eyes on Jesus in the Word.
4. Surrender
   Let the Word expose and shape you.
5. Write
   Journal what the Spirit reveals.
6. Respond
   Pray it back in worship and confession.
7. Carry
   Take the truth into your day.

We also referenced the powerful sermon clip from Alistair Begg
, often called “The Man on the Middle Cross.”
It’s a compelling reminder that our hope is not in performance — but in the finished work of Jesus.
If you haven’t watched it, take a few minutes and let it re-center you in the gospel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qzv0iaBn_fk

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Explore past episodes and resources
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Resources & Contact Info
Email Raz & Jamie: razwithhim@gmail.com

Their church: Mariemont Church (Cincinnati, OH)

https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s website & writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609

In this episode, we sit down with Vic Clesceri—practitioner, scholar, and evangelist—to explore the way of surrender as the foundation of discipleship.

Who is Vic?

• Founder of The Management Sherpa
  https://www.themanagementsherpa.com
• Professor of Marketing at Miami University Farmer School of Business
• Founder of The Surrender Project
  https://www.surrenderproject.com
• Author of The Way of Surrender
  https://www.surrenderproject.com/TWOS-604-MM-ENG.html

Vic Clesceri is a rare blend of practitioner, scholar, and evangelist. In this conversation, we explore how surrender, not striving, is the pathway to freedom, unity, and faithful leadership in every area of life.

Vic shares how growing up Catholic while attending a Protestant church shaped his conviction that the Body of Christ is deeply divided—and how Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17 calls us to something better.

He recounts a powerful 3:00am encounter with Jesus that led him to journal his journey of surrender, eventually forming the 50 maxims behind the Surrender Assessment and his book, The Way of Surrender.

Together, they discuss why fear is the primary barrier to surrendering fully to Jesus—in business, money, family, and everyday life—and how true freedom lives on the other side of trust.

The conversation also touches on Vic’s work through The Management Sherpa and his ministry among students as a professor, helping shape young leaders to walk with Jesus in every area of life.

This episode is an invitation to lay down control, confront fear, and follow Jesus with open hands.

Connect with Vic

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vclesceri
• Business: https://www.themanagementsherpa.com
• Ministry & Book: https://www.surrenderproject.com

Stay Connected with With Him

Subscribe to the With Him Podcast email list
Get new episodes, bonus content, and more:
https://mailchi.mp/mariemontchurch/sub-to-with-him-podcast

Explore past episodes and resources:
https://www.mariemontchurch.org/with-him-podcast

Resources & Contact

Email Raz & Jamie:
razwithhim@gmail.com

Their church: Mariemont Church
https://www.mariemontchurch.org

Jamie’s website & writing:
https://www.jamiemoore.org

Jamie’s book, Friendship with God:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1736292609