I was thinking of an old song by Keith Green this morning: Grace by Which I Stand. It was written after Keith had been a Christian for many years and in many ways it shares some aspects of a 'Stage 4' experience of faith. Here are the lyrics:
Lord, the feelings are not the same, I guess I'm older, I guess I've changed. And how I wish it had been explained, that as you're growing you must remember, That nothing lasts, except the grace of God, by which I stand, in Jesus. I know that I would surely fall away, except for grace, by which I'm saved.
Lord, I remember that special way, I vowed to serve you, when it was brand new. But like Peter, I can't even watch and pray, one hour with you, And I bet, I could deny you too. But nothing lasts, except the grace of God, by which I stand, in Jesus. I'm sure that my whole life would waste away, except for grace, by which I'm saved.
Wow, how true is that … it's all by God's grace, not by our goodness or efforts in any way at all.