There is a glitch that happens some time where it minimizes the text window done to a sliver. By searching around through your views you can find it and resize it like you did.
Another way is to make a copy of your settings folder and save it someplace you can find it. The xxx.cfg files are the ones you need for this. When you lose the text box, exit the game, copy over the settings folder with your saved folder, restart the game and it should be back.
Remember to update your copy of the settings folder if you make changes to your stick/keymapping and such or you will replace the folder with old settings.
