Chovav is Yisro, and Moshe begged him to stay with the Yidden. Why? (And after Yisro’s refusal, Moshe asks him again). And why is he called Chovav at this point? RSRH Zatzal says that Chovav comes from the word “Chiba” (affection) and also the word “Chov” (duty); a love out of feelings of duty and Hakaras HaTov. This shows us how Yisro operated. He was a walking Chovos Halvavos, whose entire theme is serving Hashem out of gratitude.
This is why the Chovos Halvavos is such an unusually positive Sefer, which is constantly reminding the beauty of Hashem's world, and all those wonderful gifts that Hashem is always giving us; and therefore we should serve Him. And now especially, when the Yidden had just left Mitzrayim, it's time to be non-stop thankful for all those Nissim, Nifla’os, and Yeshuos.
And the Yetzer Hara is super strong to get you to Davka kvetch. Indeed, this is the entire Sefer Bamidbar; stories and stories of complaints and kvetching for all kinds of reasons. And nobody better than a Yisro to be an example of the opposite of kvetching. Especially Yisro who was a Ger, and didn’t owe Hashem as much as the Yidden; they would make a: קַּל ו חוֹמֶּר comparison from him (that surely applies to them much more); a #1 inspiration.
Moshe also said: וְה יִית ל נוּ לְעֵינ יִם the simple Pshat is that Yisro would be a practical guide in the Midbar. However, we can also say that he has a much-needed Midda of Ayin Tova. The Me'am Lo'ez says that when it says by Dovid that he was a: יְפֵה עֵינַּיִם it means the Midda of Ayin Tova vs. Eisav who had a: צ רוּת עַּ יִ ן. Dovid always saw good in everyone.
Yisro Fargined Klal Yisroel’s success, unlike his neighbors, the Amalek’im, who were full of jealousy, and so they attacked Klal Yisroel. Yisro had an Ayin Tova, and was a: לֵב שֶּש מַּח בִגְדוּלַּת כְ לַּ ל יִ שְ ר אֵ ל heart that rejoiced with the success of Klal Yisroel, like Ahron. An Ayin Tova person is invaluable, especially in a Matzav loaded with potential negative problems.
The thankful heart makes a Shpeil about the goodness in his life and remembers it
