If you have |3|, then the absolute value is just 3.
If you have |-3|, then the absolute value is still 3.
The absolute value basically turns everything into positive terms. Think of it as a negativity reliever. It alleviates the pain of the inside and creates happiness.
Note: for equations like 7 = |4x + 2|:
You get 2 equations. The 1st equation is just 7 = 4x + 2. The 2nd equation is -(4x + 2) = -4x - 2.