It’s hard to believe that just three years ago Bermuda Idol Samantha Smith wasn’t confident about her vocal chops.

The 32-year-old grew up singing with her family and knew she could hold a tune, but was always comparing herself to other singers and not sure if she measured up.

Then as her faith in God began to increase, so did her confidence.

“It wasn’t until recently that I was able to separate my gift from other people’s,” Ms Smith said.

“I realised that what I bring to the table isn’t what someone else brings. I’ve learned to focus on developing and growing what talents God has given me.”

These days new opportunities seem to be gravitating her way.

Last summer she appeared in Troika’s Beauty and the Beast, and then Robin Given’s re-enactment of Joy In The Morning.

She got her biggest break yet two weeks ago when she won Inter-Island Communications’ Bermuda Idol 2015 competition.

Although there was some nervousness leading up to the event, Ms Smith said she felt “focused and very calm” on the night of the finale.

She was praying and doing affirmations leading up to it. She also felt she had put in enough practice to win with her emotional renditions of “I’m here” from the Broadway production, The Color Purple, and “That Name” by gospel singer Yolanda Adams.

“I feel like the competition was part of the plan for my life,” she explained.

“I didn’t realise that in the beginning, but when I decided to really do it then came a peace of mind.

“For me it was a strategic step. I believe it will open doors and give me more opportunities and exposure.”

Ms Smith grew up attending church with various family members.

She enjoyed it enough to keep going back, but as she got older she wanted her parents to join her at the services.

“Going to Bermuda Institute you learn about how to witness to others and the importance of doing good deeds and I felt responsible with helping my parents in their faith,” she said.

“My dad got sick [and then passed away] when I was quite young, but through his sickness he started coming to church.

“Soon after, my mom, once she realised he was serious about his salvation, also became a Christian after attending one of my aunt’s funerals — so we were all able to go together. It was something nice to do as a family.”

Her relationship with God became real when she reached age 26.

Up until that point she had been through some rough relationships and partied like other young people.

Some of those choices and hurts led her to question who she really was.

“At that point I had done everything I had said I would never do,” she said. “I wondered how I could reconnect with my values and somewhere in that journey I had this arresting dream that drove me to the alter.

“It made me think of the dangers of what could happen and I realised it was all to much to bear on my own.”

She found the answers she was seeking in God’s word.

The Lord helped her to kick out some of the bad habits and got her heavily involved in church activities.

“That’s what tends to happen with my life,” she said. “God tends to fill my life up with so many positive things and people to keep me engaged.

“That allowed me to walk in my purpose and before I knew it I had no desire to go out and party or do other things I was doing before.

“I became more focused and now I am the leader of our Young Women of Purpose, a ministry at church. I sing with my praise team and I am doing really valuable work in the community with [youth anti-drug organisation] Pride Bermuda. I’ve been a programme counsellor here for almost ten years.”

Ms Smith said she often reflects on what God has done for her when she sings.

“He’s the reason I do what I do with such passion,” she said. “I always like to sing and talk, but when I am on stage it’s my prayer and my desire to minister to someone’s spirit. I want to reach hearts and souls, provoke thought and inspire people to consider transforming their own lives.”

The gospel song she sang at the Bermuda Idol finale was particularly poignant for her because of its message.

“The song reminds you that no matter what your beginning was like it doesn’t have to dictate what your end is,” Ms Smith said.

“In spite of everything you can still prosper and flourish and be anything you desire to be with hard work.

‘That’s something my mom taught me: you can be anything you want to be. She left out the part about the hard work, but I learned about that along the way.”

Ms Smith is working on a mini album to be released in the near future. She plans to release one of her first singles over the next few weeks.

You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter: Sam Smith BDA.