A new year often inspires fresh resolve. We plan more carefully, set ambitious goals, and commit to making this time different. But year after year, many resolutions quietly fade—not because people lack sincerity, but because most change efforts rely on willpower alone.
That’s where a deeper, more biblical approach to change comes in.
Today on Faith & Finance, I sat down with Taylor Standridge, Production Manager at FaithFi and lead writer of Our Ultimate Treasure and Look at the Sparrows, to explore why so many resolutions fail—and what Scripture reveals about change that truly lasts.
Why Willpower Isn’t Enough
Taylor explained that most resolutions fade because they’re built on effort rather than formation.
“Willpower is a limited resource,” Taylor said. “We assume that if we just try harder or become more disciplined, we’ll finally become the person we want to be. But once motivation wears off, or life gets stressful, old patterns take over.”
According to Taylor, the problem isn’t that people set bad goals—it’s that they try to change actions without addressing identity. Without a deeper shift in what we value and who we believe we are, even the best intentions eventually lose momentum.
“We may change what we do for a while,” Taylor said, “but if we don’t change the kind of person we’re becoming, those changes won’t last.”
Behavior Change vs. Identity Transformation
Taylor drew a helpful distinction between modifying behavior and experiencing true transformation.
“Behavior change is about effort—showing up, pushing through, saying no,” he said. “But identity transformation reshapes our desires and motivations. It changes why we choose what we choose.”
That’s why FaithFi emphasizes the idea that behavior follows belief. When change focuses only on habits, goals often end once they’re achieved. But when change is rooted in identity, it cultivates a way of life that continues beyond any milestone.
“It’s the difference between acting healthy and becoming the kind of person who naturally chooses health,” Taylor explained.
How Identity Changes the Way We Set Goals
To illustrate, Taylor pointed to health resolutions—one of the most common goals people set each year.
“A behavior-based goal might be, ‘I want to lose 20 pounds,’” Taylor said. “That’s fine—but once the weight is gone, the motivation often disappears.”
An identity-based goal asks a deeper question: What kind of person do I want to become?
“When someone says, ‘I want to honor God by caring for the body He’s given me,’ everything changes,” Taylor said. “Now the goal isn’t just a number—it’s a lifestyle.”
Identity-driven goals last because they’re rooted in purpose, not pressure.
Applying Identity to Financial Resolutions
Taylor said this approach is especially powerful when applied to financial goals.
“Let’s say someone wants to pay off $20,000 in debt,” he said. “That’s a great goal—but it becomes far more meaningful when it’s rooted in identity.”
Instead of focusing solely on eliminating debt, Taylor encouraged believers to frame their financial goals around stewardship.
“When someone says, ‘I want to be a wise steward so I can live with freedom and give generously,’ the goal becomes formative,” he explained. “That identity continues shaping decisions long after the debt is gone.”
According to Taylor, identity-based stewardship influences spending, saving, giving, and long-term financial faithfulness—not just one year’s resolution.
Scripture Shows That Change Starts in the H
