This pool -- this isn't a biblical thing or Jewish thing...it was a heathen belief.
"When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?'" John 5:6
He'd been sitting there for a very long time doing absolutely nothing. Why did Jesus ASK if he wanted to get well?
Change your Location
Sitting around, social environment -- just hoping things will get better. Ask, is it making your life better or worse? Instead of saying "whoa is me" move.
"Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”[a]" 1 Corinthians 15:33
It is not enough to hope. You have to act.
"This how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John 5:2-5
"For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7
Set Your Mind on This Hope
"Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 1 Peter 1:13
Put our mind on what's coming! Jesus!
"Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God." Colossians 3:1-3
The Command
"Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” John 5:8
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,"
Hebrews 12:1
Get off the couch! Go!
Action!
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us," 2 Peter 1:10
Practice these things! Practice!
"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Ephesians 2:10
We have the answer. Purpose of life? To love God and people! Are we running our race?
Actions! Do! Go! Tell!
"At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
The day on which this took place was a Sabbath," John 5:9
"With flattery he will corrupt those who have violated the covenant, but the people who know their God will firmly resist him." Daniel 11:32
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21
Don't just know -- do!
Obey
Do something. Don't just think, talk and hope. Do!
The blessing comes from the doing. Do what you were meant to do.
"Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do." James 1:22-25