The ego’s game is to keep us wanting something more or different. The Course calls those thoughts grievances or, “If only something or someone were different, I would be saved.” In A.A. they call those thoughts resentments. I don’t know the biblical term. But the idea is that as long as we think we are missing something in the illusion, we will look for it there.

We will try to get more or less of this or more or less of that. More money, more friends, more attention, more fame, etc. Less of this or less of that. Less sickness, less war, less pollution, etc. This keeps us from looking for what we really want, that cannot be found in the illusion, GOD. We actually made the illusion to hide from GOD. So, we are looking for the wrong thing, more or less of something, in the illusion. If we identified that all we really want is GOD, then we might be able to look for GOD in the right place. But as long as the ego can keep us looking for our salvation, which it has convinced us is more or less of something, in the illusion, it stays in control and we stay in prison.

Idle wishes and grievances are partners or co-makers in picturing the world you see. The wishes of the ego gave rise to it, and the ego’s need for grievances, which are necessary to maintain it, peoples it with figures that seem to attack you and call for “righteous” judgment. (W73.2)

You will undertake a journey because you are not at home (God) in this world. And you will search for your home (God) whether you realize where it is or not. If you believe it (God) is outside you the search will be futile, for you will be seeking it (God) where it (God) is not. You do not remember how to look within for you do not believe your home (God) is there. Yet the Holy Spirit remembers it for you, and He will guide you to your home (God) because that is His mission. As He fulfills His mission He will teach you yours, for your mission is the same as His. By guiding your brothers home (God) you are but following Him. (T12.IV.5)