A surgical instrument, comprising: an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge; an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel; a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge; an electric motor mechanically coupled to the knife and configured to advance the knife; and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit comprises: a first sensor configured to measure the instantaneous firing force experienced when advancing the knife; a second sensor configured to measure the position of the knife; and a controller electrically connected to the first and second sensors and configured to determine the position of the knife; and determine the occurrence of predefined events, wherein the occurrence of the predefined events is determined from the firing force measurements; wherein the control circuit is configured to: control the electric motor to advance the knife; ignore, based on the determined position of the knife, an occurrence of a first predefined event and continue advancement of the knife; automatically stop an advancement of the knife after an occurrence of a second predefined event; and automatically restart the advancement of the knife after an occurrence of a third predefined event. an elongated channel configured to support a staple cartridge; an anvil pivotably connected to the elongated channel; a knife mechanically coupled to the staple cartridge; an electric motor mechanically coupled to the knife and configured to advance the knife; and a control circuit electrically connected to the electric motor, wherein the control circuit comprises: a first sensor configured to measure the instantaneous firing force experienced when advancing the knife; a second sensor configured to measure the position of the knife; and a controller electrically connected to the first and second sensors and configured to determine the position of the knife; and determine the occurrence of predefined events, wherein the occurrence of the predefined events is determined from the firing force measurements; a first sensor configured to measure the instantaneous firing force experienced when advancing the knife; a second sensor configured to measure the position of the knife; and a controller electrically connected to the first and second sensors and configured to determine the position of the knife; and determine the occurrence of predefined events, wherein the occurrence of the predefined events is determined from the firing force measurements; wherein the control circuit is configured to: control the electric motor to advance the knife; ignore, based on the determined position of the knife, an occurrence of a first predefined event and continue advancement of the knife; automatically stop an advancement of the knife after an occurrence of a second predefined event; and automatically restart the advancement of the knife after an occurrence of a third predefined event. control the electric motor to advance the knife; ignore, based on the determined position of the knife, an occurrence of a first predefined event and continue advancement of the knife; automatically stop an advancement of the knife after an occurrence of a second predefined event; and automatically restart the advancement of the knife after an occurrence of a third predefined event.