Text Trouble

hello! long time lurker, and fist time poster! hahaha..no. i wish my first post wasn't about a problem I am having in making icons, but, alas, it is. I am having a problem with text.

My problem is here. whenever i try to put text on an icon i haven't merged, then i have to put the text size up to like 200 pt to be able to see it. what am i doing wrong! please help me, and i will give you... a cookie... and a hug.